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A grave, statuesque young woman gazes down at a positively enormous child, who lies sideways across her lap. Her deep red gown is open to reveal her breast, which she offers to her son – though he seems uninterested. He turns his head away from his mother to look out at the viewer, at the same time playing with the beads which dangle from her scarf. Although we know from their delicate haloes that these are the Virgin Mary and infant Christ, this is a very modern Mary, painted in a newly realistic manner. Boltraffio was Leonardo da Vinci’s most gifted pupil, and imitated his master in style and technique. Both mother and child have a palpable physical presence and, although idealised, are clearly made of flesh and blood – a simple mother lovingly cradling her son.
Title
The Virgin and Child
Date
probably about 1493-9
Medium
Oil with some egg tempera on walnut
Measurements
H 92.7 x W 67.3 cm
Accession number
NG728
Acquisition method
Bought, 1863
Work type
Painting
