The Virgin and Child
Artist: Lorenzo di Credi (Italian, c. 1457/1459 - 1536)
Original Dimensions: 28" x 19 1/2"
Location: National Gallery of Art, London
About Artwork: (About 1480-5) "The Virgin Mary is seated directly in front of us. Together with swathes of drapery, she covers almost the entire picture plane, forming a triangular shape that is set off against the dark background. Light radiating from the front brings out the vibrant colours of her garments. These colours are taken up by the flowers in the glass vase that stands on a table near the window. The naked Christ Child is seated on a tasselled pillow in her lap, his legs crossed. He reaches for his mother but gazes at us while breastfeeding. Such intimate portrayals of the Virgin and infant Christ were very popular in the fifteenth century, and the Florentine painter Lorenzo di Credi specialised in their production. We don't know for whom he made this painting, but it could have been a member of a confraternity particularly devoted to Tobias and the Archangel Raphael, who are approaching from an alley in the background." - (National Gallery of Art, London)

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