Artwork
Madonna and Child
Madonna and Child is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Master of Città di Castello. It dates from 1305 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Created in 1305, this panel painting portrays the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on the intimate relationship between mother and son, serving as a visual representation of their spiritual significance.
The painting depicts the Madonna and Child, a central religious subject in Christian art. It portrays the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, representing the core figures of the Incarnation. Created by the Master of Città di Castello in 1305, the work functions as a devotional image within the genre of religious art.
The composition focuses on the intimate relationship between mother and son, serving as a visual representation of their spiritual significance.
History & Provenance
The painting known as Madonna and Child was created in 1305 by the artist identified as the Master of Città di Castello. This work, classified as a religious painting depicting the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, is currently held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit. The available records establish the inception of the piece to the year 1305, marking its creation during the early fourteenth century.
The painting Madonna and Child, created around 1305 by the Master of Città di Castello, is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit. The work, which depicts the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, was accessioned into the museum's holdings as a religious art piece. Specific inventory or accession numbers are not provided in the available records, though the institution maintains the work as part of its permanent collection. The sources do not list a detailed exhibition history for this specific piece.
Overview
Created in 1305, this panel painting portrays the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus. Executed by the anonymous figure known as the Master of Città di Castello, the work now belongs to the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Its composition is concise, focusing on the intimate interaction between mother and child against a restrained decorative backdrop.
Technique & Style
The painter employs a limited palette of flat, saturated tones, deep blue for the mantle, vivid red for the lining and headband, and a golden disc that frames the scene. Forms are rendered with minimal modeling, resulting in a stylized, two‑dimensional appearance that reflects the conventions of early 14th‑century Italian devotional art.
Context
The painting belongs to a period when Italian religious art favored iconic, symbolic representations over naturalistic space. Its gold‑toned background and simplified figures align with contemporary frescoes and panel paintings intended for private devotion, illustrating the devotional practices of the time.
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