The Virgin Seated at the Foot of a Tree
1522
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1522
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This black-and-white print shows a woman holding a small child. She’s dressed in flowing robes, her head covered with a veil and a pearl necklace. The child leans against her, looking down, while her hands gently hold his. Behind them, a tree branch with a small plaque hangs on the wall. The woman’s face is calm, and the child’s posture feels relaxed but serious. The artist used shading to show the folds in the clothes and the softness of their skin. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create depth.
