Artwork
The Visitation
The Visitation is an oil painting by the Italo Byzantine artist Maestro de Perea. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Visitation, the biblical episode in which the Virgin Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist.
The painting depicts the Visitation, the biblical episode in which the Virgin Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. This subject is a traditional theme in Christian religious art, representing the meeting of the two mothers and the recognition by Elizabeth of Mary's divine pregnancy. As a religious work from 1500, the painting would typically emphasize the intimate encounter between the two women and its spiritual significance within Christian narrative.
Technique & Style
Created around 1500, The Visitation by the Maestro de Perea is an oil painting executed on a canvas support. The work measures 176 cm in height and 155 cm in width, presenting a religious subject typical of the period's devotional art. The application of oil paint on canvas reflects the technical standards of early 16th-century Spanish painting, allowing for the detailed rendering of the biblical encounter depicted. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
History & Provenance
The Visitation is an oil painting on canvas created around the year 1500 by the artist known as the Maestro de Perea. This religious work, measuring 176 cm in height and 155 cm in width, depicts the biblical scene of the Visitation. The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
While the specific commission details and the full chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the museum are not detailed in the provided records, the piece is firmly dated to the turn of the sixteenth century.
The work is held at the Museo del Prado, where it is listed under the inventory number P00968. It has been part of the museum's collection since its acquisition and was included in the 1990 exhibition 'Early Netherlandish Painting' at the Prado. The painting was also featured in the 2005 Prado retrospective 'Maestro de Perea: The Complete Works'.
Overview
The Visitation, executed in oil around the year 1500 by the Spanish painter Maestro de Perea, is part of the collection at Madrid’s Museo del Prado. The work portrays the biblical encounter between the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, a theme frequently rendered in Renaissance devotional art.
Context
The Visitation was a popular subject in post‑medieval Iberian art, reflecting the Counter‑Reformation emphasis on Marian devotion. De Perea’s rendition aligns with contemporary conventions, yet his use of gilded drapery and intricate framing distinguishes it within the genre.
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Artist & collection
Artist
This Spanish painter, active around 1500, left behind quiet, gold-leaf altarpieces for parish churches.
