Artwork
Young Virgin Mary
Young Virgin Mary is an oil painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Georges de La Tour. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
Georges de La Tour painted Young Virgin Mary in 1640, employing oil on canvas. The work is part of the French Classical Baroque tradition and is currently owned by the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a youthful figure, identified as the Virgin Mary, with hands joined in prayer. Dressed in a plain white garment, a red sash, and a dark over‑coat, she looks downward, embodying humility and quiet devotion.
Technique & Style
La Tour’s characteristic use of chiaroscuro is evident: a deep, shadowed background isolates the figure, while a focused light source illuminates her face and hands, creating a stark contrast that heightens the sense of intimacy.
Context
Active in the Duchy of Lorraine, La Tour worked amid a blend of Nordic, Italian, and French influences, alongside peers such as Jacques Callot and the Le Nain brothers. His oeuvre is noted for candlelit religious scenes that balance realism with spiritual contemplation.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Georges de La Tour (French pronunciation:; 13 March 1593 – 30 January 1652) was a French Baroque painter, who spent most of his working life in the Duchy of Lorraine, which was temporarily absorbed into France between 1641 and 1648.
