Artwork
Maria met kind
Maria met kind is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Duccio di Buoninsegna. It dates from 1305 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on the figures of Mary and the Christ Child, emphasizing their spiritual relationship within the context of Christian faith.
The work depicts the Madonna and Child, a central subject in religious art representing the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus. As a copy of a painting by Duccio di Buoninsegna, the piece adheres to the iconographic tradition of the late 19th to early 20th century that revisits this specific devotional theme. The composition focuses on the figures of Mary and the Christ Child, emphasizing their spiritual relationship within the context of Christian faith.
This subject matter serves as a visual representation of maternal devotion and divine incarnation, consistent with the genre of religious art for which the original 1305 composition is known.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Duccio di Buoninsegna, this religious painting depicting the Madonna and Child carries an inception date of 1305. While internal records classify the work directly as a painting by the artist from that year, alternative descriptions characterize it as a copy of a Duccio original, suggesting a creation period spanning the late 19th to the early 20th century. The work was produced in Italy and is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
No specific details regarding the original commission, intermediate ownership history, or provenance chain prior to its museum acquisition are provided in the available records.
Overview
Created around 1305, this early 14th‑century panel by the Sienese painter Duccio di Buoninsegna portrays a tender encounter between a mother and her infant. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and exemplifies the devotional imagery common to the period, presenting a serene, intimate scene against a luminous gold backdrop.
Technique & Style
Duccio employs tempera on wood, applying delicate brushwork to render the figures’ soft flesh tones and the intricate folds of the dark blue mantle with a red lining. The gold ground, subtly patterned, creates a timeless, otherworldly space, while the gold headpiece adds a regal touch to the Virgin’s appearance.
Context
Duccio’s work marks a transitional moment in Italian art, moving away from the rigid Byzantine conventions toward greater naturalism and emotional expression. This painting, with its intimate pose and nuanced coloration, anticipates the developments that would later define the Italian Renaissance.
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