The Madonna of Humility

Origin: School of Verona, Italian, 15th century
Date: 1435
Medium: Pen and Brown Ink and Gouache
Ackland Fund
75.17.1

Christian subjects dominate the work of Italian Renaissance artists. Unlike artists from other periods, their portrayals of Christian icons reflect contemporary trends in clothing and architectural design and are often conceived with a decorative treatment of line and color. This sumptuously framed image of the Virgin Mary and the Christ child is thought to be the work of the Florentine painter, The Master of 1419. Deep, dark shades of elegantly draped and patterned fabrics adorned with gold ornaments along the curled, decorative edge of the Madonna's robe and the cuffs of the Christ child's sleeves lend an ethereal quality to the two figures. Like the earthly kings who wore crowns, both figures are shown wearing halos, a solar radiance which symbolizes holiness and spiritual enlightenment. While the image of the Christ child is conceived in a somewhat playful pose, the Madonna assumes a meeker, more deferentially respectful posture. The somber expressions on both figures' faces foreshadows Christ's death and resurrection and anticipates the transformation of his body into glory.