Madonna with a book

ID: #3469 | TOP 100 | Renaissance | Religious

Date: c. 1480
Medium: tempera, wood
Location: Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milano
Dimensions: 39,5 x 58

Madonna with a Book or Virgin and Child is a small painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli . This is a very delicate and elegant work in which Maria and the child are seated by the window in the corner of the room. With his right hand he touches the Book of Hours, a prayer book with regularly repeated prayers for different times of the day that was common in the thirteenth to sixteenth centuries. The child stares at the mother, who is concentrating on reciting prayers. The hands of both figures have their own symbolism, the mother and the child have their right hand open in a sign of blessing, the left hand is closed. The child representing Christ holds three nails from the Cross in his left hand and has a crown of thorns strung around his wrist - experts say that these two details were added after the painting was completed, apparently to emphasize the message the painting is supposed to convey. Mary's blue cloak, with which she is often depicted, is meant to symbolize her purity and royal status.

Botticelli painted picture Madonna with a book in c. 1480. Prevailing color of this fine art print is blue and its shape is portrait. Original size is 39,5 x 58. This art piece is located in Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milano. This image is printed on demand - you can choose material, size and finishing.

Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510). Also known under the name Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi. Botticelli was an Italian Renaissance painter from the Florentine school. His work belongs to the best in the early Renaissance. Botticelli took his surname allegedly from his brother’s nickname (who was as rotund as a tub – botticelli). His artistic career likely began in the goldsmith’s workshop of his brother Antonio. Botticelli was later entrusted by his family to the care of Filippo Lippi, a renowned painter and knowledgeable monk. As a renowned artist, Botticelli gained friends and benefactors from the most important Florentine families. He worked mainly for the Medici family. In 1481, together with another major Florentine painter, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Botticelli was summoned to Rome to participate in the decoration of the Sistine Chapel. In 1491, they were both appointed to a jury that was to decide on the contract for the construction of the facade of Florence cathedral. At the end of his life, he evidently worked under the influence of Savonarol’s fiery sermons, exclusively painting Christian themes. Among his most famous works are The Birth of Venus and Spring (Primavera) . Botticelli never married – he reportedly struggled with unrequited love for Simonet Vespucci, who was to be the model for his Venus. As his dying wish, he desired to be buried at her feet. His wish was fulfilled.