Virgin and Child

Follower of Rogier van der Weyden (Master of the Saint Ursula Legend Group, Netherlandish, active late 15th century)

ca. 1480–90 · Oil on wood · European Paintings

Devotional images of the breastfeeding Virgin became extremely popular in fifteenth-century painting, particularly in Bruges, where the Sint-Donaaskerk housed relics of Mary’s hair and milk. This particular version combines venerable elements of the Byzantine icon tradition, like the gold background, with the increased realism and tenderness of contemporary Netherlandish painting. The frame is original, and holes for hinges (now plugged) indicate that the panel was formerly the central element of a triptych.

Artist

Follower of Rogier van der Weyden (Master of the Saint Ursula Legend Group, Netherlandish, active late 15th century)

Date

ca. 1480–90

Medium

Oil on wood

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917