Madonna and Child with a Female Saint
unknown (Italian School)
Basic information
- ID
- Ж-1928
- Author
- unknown (Italian School)
- Name
- Madonna and Child with a Female Saint
- Date of creation
- early 16th c.
- Technique
- oil painting
- Material
- wood oil
- Dimensions (height x width, cm)
- 26.3 x 29.5
Additionally
- Type
- painting
- Genre
- religious
- Plot
- Madonna. The Virgin Mary and Christ Child Saint Catherine
- Provenance
- Collection of Lviv City Gallery
- Exposition
- Potocki Palace
Information about author
Inscriptions
This painting is a fine example of religious art from the High Renaissance of the early 16th century. Executed by an unknown master, the work depicts the canonical subject of the Madonna and Child with a female saint – likely Catherine of Alexandria.
The Virgin Mary and the Infant Christ appear against a panoramic Renaissance landscape, accompanied by the saint, who bows reverently before them. The Madonna is attired in a traditional dark red dress and a blue maphorion. She tenderly supports the infant Jesus, who sits entirely naked upon her lap, his image enhanced by curly golden-auburn hair. All three figures are united by a single emotional motion: the Infant extends his right hand towards the reverently bowing saint. This beautiful young woman, with loose golden hair, wears a dark green dress and a burgundy cloak, extending her hands towards Jesus in a gesture of prayer.
Due to the absence of martyrological attributes, identifying the maiden with absolute certainty remains challenging. However, given that the gazes of all three figures are directed towards the young woman's palms, it can be inferred that the scene represents the Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria – a popular subject from Jacobus de Voragine's "Golden Legend". According to Christian hagiography, Catherine the Great Martyr saw the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus in a dream; the Christ Child placed a ring upon her finger, after which she resolved to dedicate her life to Him, regarding herself as the bride of Christ.
The Virgin Mary and the Infant Christ appear against a panoramic Renaissance landscape, accompanied by the saint, who bows reverently before them. The Madonna is attired in a traditional dark red dress and a blue maphorion. She tenderly supports the infant Jesus, who sits entirely naked upon her lap, his image enhanced by curly golden-auburn hair. All three figures are united by a single emotional motion: the Infant extends his right hand towards the reverently bowing saint. This beautiful young woman, with loose golden hair, wears a dark green dress and a burgundy cloak, extending her hands towards Jesus in a gesture of prayer.
Due to the absence of martyrological attributes, identifying the maiden with absolute certainty remains challenging. However, given that the gazes of all three figures are directed towards the young woman's palms, it can be inferred that the scene represents the Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria – a popular subject from Jacobus de Voragine's "Golden Legend". According to Christian hagiography, Catherine the Great Martyr saw the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus in a dream; the Christ Child placed a ring upon her finger, after which she resolved to dedicate her life to Him, regarding herself as the bride of Christ.
Legal regulation
Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery
