Artwork
Lochis Madonna
Lochis Madonna is a tempera painting by the Early Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini. It dates from 1488 and is held in the collection of the Accademia Carrara.
About this work
Overview
The Lochis Madonna is a tempera-on-panel painting created by Italian Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini around 1475. It is currently housed at the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a serene, intimate scene of a mother (depicted in blue robe and head covering) tenderly cradling a child (in a white tunic), conveying a sense of quiet, private connection between the two figures.
Technique & Style
Bellini utilized tempera to achieve depth and intricate textural details, evident in the folds of the garments. The work reflects an early mature phase in his style, with lingering influences from Andrea Mantegna's sculptural approach to drapery.
History & Provenance
Signed 'IOANNES BELLINVS' on a scroll attached to a marble balustrade within the composition, the painting's provenance leads back to its creation circa 1475, though its ownership history before arriving at the Accademia Carrara is not detailed here.
Context
This work represents a transitional point in Bellini's career, balancing the influence of Mantegna's style with the development of his own mature technique, characteristic of the Italian Renaissance.
Legacy
While specific legacy details are not provided, the Lochis Madonna contributes to the broader appreciation of Bellini's evolution as a painter and the aesthetic values of the Italian Renaissance.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Bellini (Italian: ; Venetian: Zuane Belin; c. 1430 – 29 December 1516) was an Italian Renaissance painter, probably the best known of the Bellini family of Venetian painters. He was raised in the household of…
