Artwork
Madonna with the Child

Madonna with the Child is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Jan Provoost. It is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Technique & Style
Created by Jan Provoost in 1550, the Madonna with the Child is executed in oil paint on a panel support. The work measures 63.5 cm in height and 47 cm in width. Stylistically, it is classified as a religious painting depicting the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, consistent with the artist's output from the Netherlands. The piece remains part of the Hermitage Museum collection.
History & Provenance
The provided sources do not contain specific inventory numbers, accession dates, or a record of the work's exhibition history.
The painting Madonna with the Child by Jan Provoost was created in the Netherlands around 1550. Executed in oil paint on a panel, the work measures 63.5 cm in height and 47 cm in width. Historical records indicate that the piece was previously owned by Dmitry Tatishchev before entering the collection of the Hermitage Museum, where it remains housed today.
Jan Provoost's Madonna with the Child is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum. The work was previously owned by Dmitry Tatishchev before entering the museum's holdings. The painting is executed in oil on panel and depicts the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child.
The provided sources do not contain specific inventory numbers, accession dates, or a record of the work's exhibition history.
Overview
Jan Provoost’s Madonna with the Child, executed in oil around 1550, presents the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus. The composition is set against a deep black backdrop, emphasizing the figures’ rich garments and the delicate interaction between mother and child. The work is part of the Northern Renaissance tradition and is currently housed in the State Hermitage Museum.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Mary in a red dress trimmed with a white collar, a gold crown studded with gems, and a veil that frames her long brown hair. The Christ Child, rendered with a small, tender hand, rests his cheek against his mother’s face, symbolizing both maternal affection and the theological bond between humanity and the divine.
Context
The work belongs to the Northern Renaissance, a period in the Low Countries marked by heightened naturalism and devotional imagery. Provoost’s approach reflects contemporary trends toward detailed representation and intimate religious scenes, aligning his oeuvre with that of other Flemish painters who blended technical precision with spiritual narrative.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Provoost, or Jean Provost, or Jan Provost (1462/65 – January 1529) was a painter born in Mons.


















