Who painted Virgin and Child with a Goldfinch?

Virgin and Child with a Goldfinch was painted by Neroccio de' Landi in 1490.

Where can I see Virgin and Child with a Goldfinch?

Virgin and Child with a Goldfinch is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Virgin and Child with a Goldfinch?

Virgin and Child with a Goldfinch is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Virgin and Child with a Goldfinch

Neroccio de' Landi , 1490

Virgin and Child with a Goldfinch is an unspecified painting by the Renaissance artist Neroccio de' Landi. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1980.101
Credit line: Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund

About this work

Overview

Neroccio di Bartolomeo de’ Landi’s 'Virgin and Child with a Goldfinch' is a quintessential Sienese painting from the 1500s, characterized by serene aristocratic imagery.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts the Virgin Mary in blue, calmly holding the Christ Child as he reaches for a goldfinch perched on her hand. The bird, with its open wings, symbolizes Christ’s future Passion, adding a layer of solemnity to the tranquil scene.

Technique & Style

Executed in a style reflective of Neroccio’s training under Vecchietta and collaboration with Francesco di Giorgio, the work features soft, gentle light illuminating the quiet, introspective atmosphere, typical of Neroccio’s revered Madonna paintings.

History & Provenance

Created in Siena, a hub of religious art in the 1400s and 1500s, this piece is one of several similar compositions by Neroccio, each with slight variations. Its current location is The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

This painting reflects Siena’s artistic tradition of the time, with Neroccio being regarded as one of the city’s last great painters of the 16th century, known for works appreciated by the aristocracy for their elegance and depth.