Artwork
Madonna enthroned with two angels
Madonna enthroned with two angels is a paint painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Master of the Magdalen. It dates from 1290 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin. Created around 1290, this tempera panel portrays the Virgin seated on an elaborate throne, cradling the infant Christ.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1290, this tempera panel portrays the Virgin seated on an elaborate throne, cradling the infant Christ. Flanking the central figures are two angels, each bearing a golden aureole. The composition is dominated by a luminous gold background that unifies the scene and emphasizes the sacred nature of the subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The work follows the Byzantine tradition of the enthroned Madonna, symbolizing Mary’s role as the heavenly queen. The infant’s gesture toward his mother underscores the intimate bond, while the angels serve as celestial attendants, reinforcing the divine hierarchy and the intercessory function of the Virgin.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera on panel, the painting employs a flat, decorative surface typical of late‑13th‑century Italian art. Gold leaf and intricate patterning on the garments create a rich visual texture, while the limited modeling relies on subtle tonal shifts rather than pronounced chiaroscuro, reflecting the period’s emphasis on iconic representation.
History & Provenance
The panel is attributed to the anonymous Florentine hand known as the Master of the Magdalen, active in the final decades of the 1200s. It entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of early Italian religious paintings.
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.
