Artwork
Madonna
Madonna is a gouache painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1674 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays the Virgin Mary in a devotional context, reflecting Counter-Reformation emphasis on maternal intercession and personal piety.
The work portrays the Virgin Mary in a devotional context, reflecting Counter-Reformation emphasis on maternal intercession and personal piety. The composition draws on traditional iconography of the Madonna as both regal queen and humble handmaid, using symbolic gestures and attributes to convey theological concepts of grace and sacrifice. The painting’s material and size align with devotional works produced for private contemplation within Jesuit-influenced circles, linking its imagery to broader Counter-Reformation visual strategies.
The piece is an oil and gouache painting on cardboard, created in 1674, and is housed in the Rijksmuseum collection.
It is based on a composition by Guido Reni and was engraved by Willem Paulet.
History & Provenance
The work is a painting dated to 1674, created as an interpretation of a composition by Guido Reni. It was produced using a combination of oil paint, gouache, and cardboard. The piece was subsequently engraved by Willem Paulet. Currently, the artwork is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
Madonna, a 1674 religious painting by an anonymous artist, is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection in Amsterdam (inventory details not specified in sources). The work, created in oil and gouache on cardboard, measures 11 cm by 9 cm and depicts the Virgin Mary. It has been exhibited at the Rijksmuseum as part of its permanent display of 17th-century Dutch religious art, though specific exhibition dates are not documented in the provided sources.
Overview
This painting, titled 'Madonna', is a work executed in gouache on an unspecified support. It depicts a serene figure.
Technique & Style
The artist employed gouache paint to achieve a smooth, matte finish. The use of this medium results in flat, even colors. The subtle play of light on the subject's face enhances her tranquil appearance.
Artist & collection
