Virgin and Child
1460
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1460
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Virgin and Child is a 1460 unspecified by Neri di Bicci, a Early Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
You see Mary holding baby Jesus on her lap, both dressed in bright red and blue robes with gold halos. This painting was made in a workshop where artists followed strict rules—colors, poses, even the way Mary’s fingers curl were copied from older paintings. Neri di Bicci kept a diary of every job, so we know exactly how much he charged for this one. If you like the soft glow of their faces, look up *sfumato*.
Neri de Bicci was a prolific painter of mainly religious themes, active principally in Florence as a panel painter. His grandfather Lorenzo di Bicci was also a painter in Florence, a pupil of Spinello Aretino. His journals from the years 1453-75, including the rates of remuneration for his work, are still preserved in the library of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
When cleaned in 1947, a modern hedge with orange trees was removed from the background of this painting.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Neri di Bicci (1419–1491) was an Italian painter active in his native Florence. A prolific painter of mainly religious themes, he studied under his father, Bicci di Lorenzo, who had in turn studied under his father,…
See the richer artist page
