Who painted Virgin Suckling the Child?

Virgin Suckling the Child was painted by Ramon de Mur in 1420.

Where can I see Virgin Suckling the Child?

Virgin Suckling the Child is held by Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

What movement is Virgin Suckling the Child?

Virgin Suckling the Child is associated with Early Renaissance.

Artwork

Virgin Suckling the Child

Ramon de Mur , 1420

Virgin Suckling the Child is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Ramon de Mur. It dates from 1420 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1420 by the Catalan painter Ramon de Mur, this panel portrays the Virgin Mary nursing the infant Jesus. The work is part of the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, where it is displayed among other early 15th‑century religious pieces.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif shows Mary seated on an elevated throne, her red mantle draped over her shoulders, gently offering milk to the Christ Child. The intimate act of nursing underscores the humanity of Jesus while affirming Mary’s role as nurturing mother, a theme common in medieval devotional art.

Technique & Style

Executed in tempera with extensive gold leaf, the painting combines a luminous background of shimmering gold with vivid reds and deep blues. Figures are rendered with a stylised rigidity; the infant’s pose appears stiff, contrasting with the Virgin’s serene expression. The use of halos and elongated drapery reflects the International Gothic aesthetic prevalent in early 15th‑century Catalonia.

History & Provenance

The panel has remained in Catalonia since its creation, eventually entering the national museum’s holdings in the early 20th century. Documentation traces its ownership through several ecclesiastical collections before its acquisition by the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, where it has been conserved and studied.

Context

Ramon de Mur was active in the region during a period when Gothic painting was transitioning toward greater naturalism. His works often feature crowded compositions with numerous attendant figures, as seen in the surrounding angels and saints that populate the golden backdrop of this piece.