Italian, Venice
The Virgin and Child, 1425-1475
Tempera and gold on hardwood panel, 60 x 41 cm (23 5/8 x 16 1/8 in.)
This vertical image of the Virgin and Child practically fills the panel on which it is painted. The small areas of background on the upper corner areas are painted black and show evidence of cracking and chipping. Both figures have gold haloes; the Virgin’s is smudged on the side to our right. Her head is tilted to our left, toward the Child she holds. Her skin is light and her hair is brown; just a bit of hair peeks out from under her hood. Her eyes are partially closed as she gazes down at the Child. She is wearing a red gown and a hooded, blue-lined robe in a gold and red patterned design, clasped at the neck with a jeweled brooch. Inscribed on the edge of the Virgin’s robe are the words, Ave Maria Gratia Plena. The Child sits up straight with legs poking out and arms bent at the elbow and held out stiffly. He is naked except for a green wrap over his back and the tops of his legs. He has close-cropped brown hair, light skin, and red lips.
Gothic Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.