Artwork
Madonna and Child
Madonna and Child is a tempera painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Simone Martini. It dates from 1326 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Christ, a direct visual embodiment of the Madonna and Child motif that dominated medieval devotional art. By positioning Mary in a contemplative pose and emphasizing the tender interaction with the child, the composition underscores themes of maternal protection and the incarnation of divine humanity. The inclusion of richly detailed attributes, such as the halo and the delicate rendering of fabric, reinforces the sacred narrative and invites viewers to meditate on the redemptive relationship between mother and son.
This iconography served both devotional and didactic purposes, reinforcing contemporary theological emphases on the humanity of Christ within the broader religious art tradition [1][2]
Technique & Style
The composition follows a conventional devotional format, portraying the Virgin Mary holding the infant Christ in a serene, intimate arrangement.
The work is a tempera painting executed on a wooden panel, a typical support for early 14th‑century Italian panels. Its dimensions measure 57.2 cm in height by 38.4 cm in width, dating to 1326. The composition follows a conventional devotional format, portraying the Virgin Mary holding the infant Christ in a serene, intimate arrangement.
The surface bears the characteristic matte finish of tempera, with fine linear detailing that defines the figures and their drapery. As a religious image, the piece functions as an iconographic representation of Marian devotion, reflecting the stylistic conventions of Simone Martini’s mature period.
History & Provenance
Created in 1326 by the Italian master Simone Martini, this tempera painting on panel depicts the Madonna and Child. The work's modern ownership history is defined by its association with Robert Lehman, who acquired the piece and subsequently held it in his collection. Following Lehman's tenure as owner, the painting entered the holdings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it remains part of the permanent collection.
While specific details regarding the original commissioner or the work's intermediate movements between its 14th-century creation and Lehman's acquisition are not provided in the available records, the piece is firmly established as a religious genre work from the early Trecento period.
Simone Martini's Madonna and Child, created in 1326, is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work, executed in tempera on panel and measuring 57.2 by 38.4 centimeters, depicts the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. It was formerly owned by Robert Lehman before entering the museum's holdings.
While the provided records confirm its current institutional location and physical dimensions, no specific accession number or detailed exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Overview
Simone Martini's Madonna and Child, created in 1326, is a tempera painting that portrays the Virgin Mary with the infant Christ. This religious work exemplifies early Italian Renaissance painting, characterized by its devotional subject matter and specific material qualities. It is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a significant example of Sienese artistry.
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