Artwork
Madonna and Child Enthroned
Madonna and Child Enthroned is a tempera painting by Master of the Magdalen. It dates from 1300 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The Child raises his right hand in a blessing gesture and holds a scroll in his left, attributes that signify his dual role as divine teacher and redeemer.
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary enthroned with the Christ Child, a conventional subject known as the Madonna and Child Enthroned. Mary is shown frontally, crowned and seated on a throne, holding the Christ Child on her lap. The Child raises his right hand in a blessing gesture and holds a scroll in his left, attributes that signify his dual role as divine teacher and redeemer.
The presence of angels flanking the throne underscores the sacred hierarchy and the celestial court surrounding the holy figures. The gold-leaf background and refined modeling reflect the Italo-Byzantine style, emphasizing the spiritual and timeless nature of the scene rather than a specific earthly setting.
Technique & Style
Executed around 1300 by the Master of the Magdalen, this religious panel painting utilizes tempera and gold leaf applied to a wood support. The work measures 153.7 cm in height and 91.4 cm in width. Stylistically, the composition focuses on the Madonna and Child enthroned, accompanied by an angel and the Christ Child.
The application of gold leaf alongside tempera on wood is characteristic of the period's technique for sacred imagery, creating a luminous surface intended for devotional contexts. The piece is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, having been part of the George Blumenthal collection, and was featured in the exhibition 'Florentine Paintings in the Metropolitan Museum.'
History & Provenance
The Madonna and Child Enthroned is a tempera and gold leaf painting on wood, dated to approximately 1300. Created by the Master of the Magdalen, the work depicts the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. Its provenance traces to the collection of George Blumenthal before entering the holdings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it is cataloged under accession number 41.100.21. The piece has been recognized in exhibitions focusing on Florentine paintings within the museum's collection.
The panel titled 'Madonna and Child Enthroned' is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is accessioned under the number 41.100.21, part of the George Blumenthal collection. The work, executed circa 1300 in tempera, wood and gold leaf, measures 153.7 cm by 91.4 cm. Its display formed part of the museum’s exhibition 'Florentine Paintings in the Metropolitan Museum,' which highlighted early Italian religious art.
The attribution to the Master of the Magdalen is recorded in the museum’s catalog and corroborated by scholarly references.
Overview
This panel painting, titled Madonna and Child Enthroned, was created around 1300 by an anonymous Florentine artist known as the Master of the Magdalen. It depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, both seated on a grand throne. This religious work is a significant example of late 13th-century Italian painting and is housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Context
The artist responsible for this work remains unidentified by name, known instead as the Master of the Magdalen. This designation stems from his Mary Magdalene with Eight Scenes from her Life. Active in Florence during the latter half of the 13th century, this artist is also linked to Grifo di Tancredi, who is recorded as having trained within his workshop, indicating a significant artistic presence.
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Artist & collection
Artist
The Master of the Maddalena, Magdalen Master (and other variants) is an unnamed Florentine artist active in the second half of the 13th century.
![Madonna and Child, with the Blessing Christ [middle panel], by Pietro Lorenzetti](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/pietro-lorenzetti--madonna-and-child-with-the-blessing-christ-middle-panel--02357aa6ff04175b-w320.webp)
