Artwork
Madonna of the Goldfinch
Madonna of the Goldfinch is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. It dates from 1768 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
This representation aligns with the documented genre of religious art and the work's depiction of the Madonna, Child, and bird.
The painting presents the Madonna and Child in a devotional composition, with the infant Christ held by the Virgin and a European goldfinch perched nearby, identifying the work through its iconographic inclusion of the bird. The subject is drawn from traditional religious imagery, reflecting the Rococo emphasis on intimate, pious scenes. The bird functions as a symbolic element within the devotional context, underscoring the sacred narrative of the Holy Family.
This representation aligns with the documented genre of religious art and the work's depiction of the Madonna, Child, and bird.
History & Provenance
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo created the Madonna of the Goldfinch in 1768 as an oil on canvas. Its early provenance traces to Principe Giovanni-Battista del Drago in Rome and later to the collection of Arthur Maier in Karlsbad. The work passed through the dealers Steinmeyer and Bourgeois and F. Kleinberger Galleries in Paris, and was acquired by Schaeffer Galleries in New York, which sold it to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation in 1940.
The Foundation gifted the painting to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., in 1943, where it is held in the Samuel H. Kress Collection under accession number 1943.1.11.
Overview
This oil on canvas painting, titled "Madonna of the Goldfinch," depicts a serene moment between the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. The composition centers on the tender interaction as the infant reaches out to a small bird perched on his mother's hand. The artist employs a gentle palette and diffused lighting to evoke a sense of tranquility and maternal affection within the sacred scene.
Technique & Style
The artist, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, utilized oil on canvas to achieve a soft and harmonious visual effect. The painting is characterized by its subtle color scheme, which contributes to the overall peaceful atmosphere. A gentle illumination bathes the figures, particularly highlighting the faces of the Madonna and child, drawing the viewer's attention to their expressions and the intimate connection portrayed. This approach is characteristic of Tiepolo's refined aesthetic.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, also known as Giambattista Tiepolo, was an Italian painter and printmaker from the Republic of Venice who painted in the Rococo style, considered an important member of the 18th-century Venetian school.
