Who painted The Birth of the Virgin?

The Birth of the Virgin was painted by Mateo Gilarte in 1651-01-01.

Where can I see The Birth of the Virgin?

The Birth of the Virgin is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is The Birth of the Virgin?

The Birth of the Virgin is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of The Birth of the Virgin?

Museum-quality prints of The Birth of the Virgin are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Birth of the Virgin

Mateo Gilarte , 1651

The Birth of the Virgin is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Mateo Gilarte. It dates from 1651 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting's religious genre underscores its devotional purpose, emphasizing themes of purity, divine favor, and the continuity of salvation history.

The Birth of the Virgin portrays the moment when Saint Anne gives birth to Mary, a scene drawn from apocryphal tradition. The composition includes the newborn Mary cradled by attendants, a cherub hovering nearby, and a dove symbolising the Holy Spirit. These elements reference the miraculous nature of Mary's conception and foreshadow her role as the mother of Christ.

The painting's religious genre underscores its devotional purpose, emphasizing themes of purity, divine favor, and the continuity of salvation history.

Technique & Style

Created in 1651, The Birth of the Virgin by Mateo Gilarte is executed in oil paint on canvas. The work measures 228 cm in height and 147 cm in width, establishing a substantial physical presence typical of large-scale religious commissions of the period. The handling of the medium allows for the depiction of sacred subjects within a formal framework consistent with the artist's output during the mid-seventeenth century.

History & Provenance

The Birth of the Virgin is an oil-on-canvas painting created by Mateo Gilarte in 1651. The work was historically owned by Ferdinand VII of Spain before entering the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it is currently housed. Measuring 228 cm in height and 147 cm in width, it depicts the birth of the Virgin Mary, with attendant cherubs and a dove. The painting remains attributed to Gilarte as a significant example of mid-17th-century religious art.

Overview

Mateo Gilarte's oil painting, The Birth of the Virgin, completed in 1651, depicts a significant event in Christian tradition. This religious work portrays the infancy of Mary, surrounded by attendants and celestial beings. Rendered with oil paint, the artwork is part of the collection at the Museo del Prado, offering a serene glimpse into this foundational narrative.