Artwork
Madonna & Child Statuette in a Niche surrounded by a Garland of Flowers
Madonna & Child Statuette in a Niche surrounded by a Garland of Flowers is a color painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Erasmus Quellinus II. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
This composition merges religious iconography with the floral painting genre, presenting the sacred figures as the focal point framed by nature's bounty.
The work depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, situated within a niche that is encircled by a lush garland of flowering plants. This composition merges religious iconography with the floral painting genre, presenting the sacred figures as the focal point framed by nature's bounty. The inclusion of the flowering plants alongside the holy figures serves to enhance the devotional aspect of the piece, a common characteristic in religious art of this period.
The interaction between the divine subjects and the surrounding botanical elements creates a unified visual statement of reverence and beauty.
The painting was created in 1645 as a collaborative effort, with the floral elements and the central figures representing a synthesis of artistic specialization within the religious tradition.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in oil on canvas, combining a painted niche setting with a sculptural presentation of the Virgin and Child within a painted floral garland. The composition emphasizes a devotional focus on Mary and the infant Jesus, rendered with naturalistic detail and soft chiaroscuro that highlights the figures against the dark background. The surrounding garland of blossoms, rendered in vivid color, frames the sacred scene and contributes to a harmonious balance between naturalistic observation and symbolic religious imagery.
History & Provenance
The painting Madonna & Child Statuette in a Niche surrounded by a Garland of Flowers, created in 1645 by Daniel Seghers and Erasmus Quellinus II, is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The work, which depicts the Virgin Mary amidst flowering plants on a canvas measuring 99.5 cm by 78 cm, remains located at this institution. The provided sources confirm its current custodianship but do not list specific inventory numbers or detail any past exhibition history.
Overview
Created in 1645 by Flemish artist Erasmus Quellinus II, this small-scale work presents a painted representation of a sculptural group. The Virgin Mary holds the infant Christ within a shallow, carved niche, while a lush garland of assorted flowers encircles the setting. Executed in colour, the composition reflects the decorative sensibilities of the mid‑seventeenth‑century Flemish Baroque and is presently housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Artist & collection
Artist
Erasmus Quellinus the Younger or Erasmus Quellinus II (November 19, 1607 – November 11, 1678) was a Flemish painter, engraver, draughtsman and tapestry designer who worked in various genres including history, portrait, allegorical, battle…
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