Artwork
Maria mit dem Kinde
Maria mit dem Kinde is an unspecified painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Pierre Mignard I. It dates from 1652 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, a conventional subject in Christian iconography known as the Madonna and Child.
The painting depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, a conventional subject in Christian iconography known as the Madonna and Child. Mary is shown in a serene pose, cradling the infant Jesus in her arms, reflecting the devotional focus on maternal tenderness and divine incarnation central to Catholic imagery of the period. The composition emphasizes quiet intimacy and reverence, aligning with Counter-Reformation ideals that favored clear, emotionally resonant religious narratives to inspire devotion.
History & Provenance
The work was created in 1652 by Pierre Mignard I, as indicated by the artist’s date and the painting’s inclusion in the Bavarian State Painting Collections (Alte Pinakothek) with an inception year of 1652. The painting is listed there as depicting a Madonna and Child, with dimensions of 77 cm in height and 58 cm in width.
The painting Maria mit dem Kinde is housed in the Alte Pinakothek, part of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Its inventory number is 2180. The work was created by Pierre Mignard I in 1652 and has been exhibited in the Alte Pinakothek's display of religious paintings.
Overview
Pierre Mignard’s 1652 canvas Maria mit dem Kinde presents a solemn encounter between the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus. Executed in the French Classical Baroque idiom, the work is part of the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings and exemplifies the period’s devotional imagery.
Technique & Style
Mignard employs a clear chiaroscuro scheme: a dark, undefined background isolates the figures, allowing the illuminated faces and hands to dominate the visual field. The soft modeling of flesh and the gentle handling of drapery reflect the artist’s mastery of light and shadow within a classical framework.
Context
Created during the height of French Baroque, the work aligns with the Counter‑Reformation’s emphasis on clear, emotionally resonant religious images. Mignard’s approach balances the drama of Baroque lighting with the restraint of classical composition, reflecting contemporary artistic debates in the French court.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre Mignard or Pierre Mignard I (French pronunciation:; 17 November 1612 – 30 May 1695), called "Mignard le Romain" to distinguish him from his brother Nicolas Mignard, was a French painter known for his religious and mythological…
