Artwork Page for Virgin and Child

Details / Information for Virgin and Child

Virgin and Child

c. 1490–1500

Pintoricchio

(Italian, c. 1454–1513)
Culture
Italy, late 15th Century
Medium
tempera and oil on wood
Measurements
Framed: 75.5 x 60 x 11 cm (29 3/4 x 23 5/8 x 4 5/16 in.); Unframed: 45.5 x 34.2 cm (17 15/16 x 13 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Collection 1944.89
Public Domain
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Location
115 Manuscripts & Textiles
Print

Description

Bernardino di Betto, called Pinturicchio, is said to have acquired his nickname ("little painter") because of his small stature, and used it to sign some of his paintings. Born in Perugia, the provincial capital of Umbria, he trained under local artists, eventually becoming a paid assistant of the painter Perugino. He is known to have assisted Perugino on his frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and eventually established his own reputation as a respected artist. Many of his commissions were for churches and wealthy families in Umbria and elsewhere. Though the source of this painting is unknown, it was likely produced for a home or private chapel.
A vertically oriented tempera and oil painting depicts the Virgin Mary holding her hands together in prayer and looking down at baby Christ, both with light skin tones, rosy cheeks, and wavy blonde hair encircled by a gold halo. Christ holds open an orange book, pointing inside and looking up at Mary, who wears a dark blue hood resting at the top of her head and layering over her pink dress, which matches with the pink cloth Christ wears. Behind them rises a rocky landscape with trees, and a few buildings under a blue sky.

Virgin and Child

c. 1490–1500

Pintoricchio

(Italian, c. 1454–1513)
Italy, late 15th Century

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