Artwork

Madonna and Child with Two Donors

Madonna and Child with Two Donors, by Lorenzo Lotto, oil, 1525
Madonna and Child with Two Donors, by Lorenzo Lotto, oil, 1525

Madonna and Child with Two Donors is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Lorenzo Lotto. It dates from 1525 and is held in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum.

About this work

Overview

Madonna and Child with Two Donors is a 16th-century oil painting by Lorenzo Lotto, created between 1533 and 1535. The work is now part of the J. Paul Getty Museum's collection in Los Angeles.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts the Madonna holding a naked infant Jesus, set against a distant landscape with a town by water. Below them, two donors, a balding man and a woman with curled hair, gaze upwards, positioned as silent observers of the sacred scene.

Technique & Style

Lotto employed chiaroscuro to achieve depth, juxtaposing the vibrant blue of the Madonna's dress with the pale skin of the child and the rich folds of a green curtain. The contrast of light and shadow enhances the spatial relationships between the figures.

History & Provenance

Originally part of the Palazzo Pallavicini Rospigliosi collection in Rome, the painting was subsequently owned by the Benson collection in London, the Hearst Corporation in New York, before its acquisition by the J. Paul Getty Museum.

Madonna and Child with Saints and Donors
Madonna and Child with Saints and Donors, Sebastiano del Piombo

Artist & collection

Portrait of Lorenzo Lotto

Artist

Lorenzo Lotto

Lorenzo Lotto (c. 1480 – 1556/57) was an Italian Renaissance painter, draughtsman, and illustrator, traditionally placed in the Venetian school, though much of his career was spent in other north Italian cities. He…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: J. Paul Getty Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Madonna and Child with Two Donors?

Madonna and Child with Two Donors was painted by Lorenzo Lotto in 1525.

Where can I see Madonna and Child with Two Donors?

Madonna and Child with Two Donors is held by J. Paul Getty Museum.

What movement is Madonna and Child with Two Donors?

Madonna and Child with Two Donors is associated with Mannerism.

Can I buy a print of Madonna and Child with Two Donors?

Museum-quality prints of Madonna and Child with Two Donors are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.