Who painted Virgin and Child Enthroned and Donor, Angels?

Virgin and Child Enthroned and Donor, Angels was painted by Pietro Lorenzetti in 1320.

Where can I see Virgin and Child Enthroned and Donor, Angels?

Virgin and Child Enthroned and Donor, Angels is held by Philadelphia Museum of Art.

What movement is Virgin and Child Enthroned and Donor, Angels?

Virgin and Child Enthroned and Donor, Angels is associated with Sienese School.

Artwork

Virgin and Child Enthroned and Donor, Angels

Pietro Lorenzetti , 1320

Virgin and Child Enthroned and Donor, Angels is an unspecified painting by the Sienese School artist Pietro Lorenzetti. It dates from 1320 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Painted in 1320, Virgin and Child Enthroned and Donor, Angels is a work by Pietro Lorenzetti, a key figure in the Sienese school of Italian painting. The piece showcases the artist's contribution to the evolution of Sienese art, particularly in its early adoption of naturalistic and spatially experimental elements.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a serene scene of the Virgin Mary, dressed in a patterned robe with a green belt, holding the Christ Child, who is clad in red. A kneeling donor, identified as a monk, looks up towards them, while two angels are set against a golden background, emphasizing the divine nature of the central figures.

Technique & Style

Characterized by the use of gold leaf for the background, the work highlights Lorenzetti's skill in using luminous colors to create depth and highlight figures. The naturalistic portrayal of the subjects and the spatial arrangement anticipate the artistic innovations of the Renaissance.

History & Provenance

Created alongside his brother Ambrogio, with whom he shared artistic influences and innovations, Virgin and Child Enthroned and Donor, Angels is now part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's collection.

Context

This painting fits within the broader tradition of Madonna and Child depictions, offering a Sienese interpretation with its unique blend of naturalism and religious symbolism, distinguishable by its detailed, patterned robes and the inclusion of a donor figure.

Legacy

As an early example of naturalistic and spatial experimentation in Sienese art, the painting influenced the trajectory of Italian art leading up to the Renaissance, showcasing the Lorenzetti brothers' pivotal role in this artistic transition.

The Virgin and Blessing Child Enthroned with a Donor, Guariento di Arpo

Artist & collection

Artist

Pietro Lorenzetti

Pietro Lorenzetti (Italian:; c. 1280 – 1348) or Pietro Laurati was an Italian painter, active between c. 1306 and 1345. Together with his younger brother Ambrogio, he introduced naturalism into Sienese art. In their…