Artwork

Virgin and Child

Virgin and Child, by Unknown, unspecified, 1796
Virgin and Child, by Unknown, unspecified, 1796

Virgin and Child is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work depicts a woman cradling an infant, both illuminated by a gentle light that separates them from a darker surrounding space.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays the Virgin Mary alongside the Christ Child, representing the theological bond between mother and son.

Created in 1792, this religious painting depicts the Madonna and Child, a central subject in Christian iconography. The work portrays the Virgin Mary alongside the Christ Child, representing the theological bond between mother and son. As an example of religious art, the image serves as a visual devotion to these holy figures, focusing entirely on their presence without additional narrative elements described in the available records.

History & Provenance

The painting Virgin and Child was created in 1792. The work depicts the Madonna and Child within the religious genre. It is currently held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it serves as a key piece of their holdings. The inception date for the artwork is recorded as January 1, 1792.

The painting Virgin and Child, dated 1792, resides in the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen and is recorded in the museum’s holdings under the accession designation KMS 1982 Ubekendt, where ‘KMS’ denotes the museum’s inventory prefix and ‘Ubekendt’ indicates the artist’s identity was unknown at the time of cataloguing. No exhibition history is recorded in the sources consulted; the work does not appear in any listed loans, temporary shows, or public displays within the provided material.

Overview

The work depicts a woman cradling an infant, both illuminated by a gentle light that separates them from a darker surrounding space. A figure lies on the ground nearby, while a distant architectural arch and a solitary tree frame the scene. A faint, indistinct presence can be seen further back, adding depth to the composition.

Technique & Style

The painting employs chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts between illuminated forms and shadowed background to focus attention on the woman's face and the child. The soft modeling of the faces and the gradual transition of light across the drapery demonstrate a careful handling of volume and space typical of early Baroque sensibilities.

Virgin and Child
Virgin and Child, Unknown

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Virgin and Child?

Virgin and Child was painted by Unknown in 1796.

Where can I see Virgin and Child?

Virgin and Child is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.