Where can I see Virgin and Child with the Pietà and Saints?

Virgin and Child with the Pietà and Saints is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Virgin and Child with the Pietà and Saints?

Virgin and Child with the Pietà and Saints is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Virgin and Child with the Pietà and Saints

Virgin and Child with the Pietà and Saints is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This painting, titled "Virgin and Child with the Pietà and Saints," is an altarpiece composed of five distinct painted scenes.

This painting, titled "Virgin and Child with the Pietà and Saints," is an altarpiece composed of five distinct painted scenes. Crafted from wood, the work features a central depiction of a woman cradling a deceased figure, flanked by angelic attendants. Two additional standing figures occupy the side panels, while a carved female figure is positioned at the base.

Each scene is framed by gilded trim and pointed arches, indicating its devotional purpose within a sacred space.

Subject & Meaning

The central scene portrays a moment of lamentation, where a female figure supports a dead man, a common representation of the Pietà in Christian art. This emotional tableau is reinforced by the presence of two angels. The flanking panels feature standing figures, likely saints, identifiable by their attributes such as books or staffs.

A carved female figure at the base further contributes to the altarpiece's devotional narrative, underscoring its sacred function.

Technique & Style

Constructed as a wooden altarpiece, the work integrates multiple painted panels within a unified structure. Each of the five scenes is individually articulated through the use of pointed arches and gilded trim, which also serve to unify the composition. These decorative elements, particularly the extensive use of gold, not only enhance the visual richness of the piece but also signify its intended placement within a church setting, emphasizing its sacred and reverential nature.

The Virgin and Child with Saints and the Annunciation, Giovanni di Paolo

Artist & collection

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Continue through works from the same source collection.