Artwork
Inner right wing of a diptych with the Virgin as Mater Dolorosa
Inner right wing of a diptych with the Virgin as Mater Dolorosa is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Lucas van Leyden. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
This representation aligns with Counter-Reformation emphasis on emotional piety, inviting viewers to meditate on shared suffering through the Virgin's humanity.
The Inner right wing of a diptych with the Virgin as Mater Dolorosa depicts the Virgin Mary in her role as the Sorrowful Mother, embodying maternal grief within a devotional context. Rendered in oil on panel around 1578 in Leiden, the work presents a solemn figure framed within traditional Marian iconography, where her downcast gaze and clasped hands convey contemplative sorrow. This representation aligns with Counter-Reformation emphasis on emotional piety, inviting viewers to meditate on shared suffering through the Virgin's humanity.
The composition employs symbolic elements, such as the blue mantle signifying heavenly purity and the delicate rendering of tears, to deepen the narrative of compassion and sacrifice. As part of a diptych housed in the Rijksmuseum, the piece functions both as an artistic achievement and a devotional object, reflecting Lucas van Leyden's mastery in blending realism with spiritual symbolism.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel support, with dimensions of 26.6 cm in height and 21.5 cm in width. The handling reflects the Northern Renaissance tradition of fine, controlled brushwork and meticulous detail, particularly in the rendering of the Virgin’s expressive features and the delicate folds of her drapery. The composition centers on the Mater Dolorosa motif, emphasizing sorrow through her downcast gaze and clasped hands, while the subdued palette and restrained modeling contribute to its devotional character.
History & Provenance
Created by Lucas van Leyden in Leiden, the Inner right wing of a diptych with the Virgin as Mater Dolorosa dates to 1578. Executed in oil paint on panel, this religious work depicts the Our Lady of Sorrows and measures 26.6 cm in height by 21.5 cm in width. The painting was originally part of a diptych structure, serving as the right-hand panel of the pair.
It is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains a significant example of the artist's late religious output.
The inner right wing of a diptych depicting the Virgin as Mater Dolorosa is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Created by Lucas van Leyden in 1578, this oil-on-panel painting measures 26.6 cm in height and 21.5 cm in width. The work originated in Leiden and focuses on the subject of Our Lady of Sorrows. No specific inventory number or exhibition history is provided in the available records.
The piece remains part of the permanent holdings of the Rijksmuseum, where it is classified as religious art.
Overview
This oil painting is the inner right wing of a diptych attributed to Lucas van Leyden, a Dutch artist known for his engraving and printmaking skills. Created around 1520-1530, it is a representative work of the Northern Renaissance.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas van Leyden (1494 – 8 August 1533), was a Dutch painter and printmaker in engraving and woodcut. Lucas van Leyden was among the first Dutch exponents of genre painting and was a very accomplished engraver.
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