Panel

Florentine master

Italy, Florence

Madonna with child.

1450

 

 

Mary is sitting on a cushion, a type known as the ‘Mary of humility’, gazing sadly at a point behind the child standing on her lap, as if foreseeing it’s violent and untimely death. She is dressed in a red robe and blue cloak, although the latter’s color has turned to green over the years. The virgin’s name in Hebrew is ‘Mirjam’, which means ’star of the sea’; this ‘stellamaris’ is often, as is done here, depicted on her cloak. The seam seems to have letters embroidered on it in gold, but no words or sentences can be discerned. The little plants and flowers that are rendered with such realistic detail are in striking contrast with the unrealistic gold leaf background. Both the mother and her child have blond hair, a color regarded as outstandingly beautiful and heavenly by the dark-haired Italians. The artist may not have found it appropriate to depict Jesus’ genitals, for he has painted a thin veil covering the lower part of his body.