Artwork
Maria mit Kind
Maria mit Kind is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Mariotto di Nardo. It dates from 1419 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The image conveys maternal tenderness while affirming Christ’s divine nature, a theme central to early Renaissance devotional art.
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, a Madonna and Child composition identified as its main subject. As a religious work, it emphasizes Mary’s role as Mother of God and the mystery of the Incarnation. The image conveys maternal tenderness while affirming Christ’s divine nature, a theme central to early Renaissance devotional art.
The work measures overall 68 cm in height and 40 cm in width respectively.
History & Provenance
The work titled Maria mit Kind was created by Mariotto di Nardo and is classified as a religious painting depicting Mary with the Christ Child. It measures 68 cm in height and 40 cm in width. The artwork is part of the collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display.
Its creation history is documented within the museum's records, confirming Mariotto di Nardo as the artist and the early 15th century as the likely period of execution based on stylistic analysis.
Overview
Created circa 1419, Maria mit Kind is a panel painting by the Florentine artist Mariotto di Nardo. Executed in the late Gothic idiom that preceded the early Renaissance, the work portrays the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus. It is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s collection in Vienna.
Technique & Style
Rendered with a flat, decorative surface, the painting relies on bold, saturated hues and minimal modeling. The figures are outlined with clear contours, and the background is reduced to a golden arch with shallow carved motifs, emphasizing ornamental pattern over three‑dimensional illusion.
Context
The work belongs to a transitional period when Florentine artists began to adopt early Renaissance sensibilities while retaining Gothic decorative conventions. Its emphasis on vivid color and stylized forms illustrates the lingering influence of International Gothic aesthetics in northern Italy before the full emergence of naturalistic approaches.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Mariotto di Nardo di Cione (fl. 1388–1424) was a Florentine painter in the Florentine Gothic style. He worked at the Duomo of Florence, the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, and the Orsanmichele. He created both frescoes…
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