Madonna and Child 1497

Cima da Conegliano painted this ‘Madonna and Child’ sometime around the late 15th century using oil on panel. The artwork is a tender depiction of motherhood framed within the cultural and religious values of Renaissance Italy. The Madonna's gaze is soft, her expression a mix of love and perhaps a hint of melancholy, characteristic of the era’s interpretation of the Virgin Mary as both a maternal figure and the mother of the soon-to-be-sacrificed Christ. There is a sense of humanity that transcends the religious subject. The Christ Child, is not a symbol, but an active participant, a baby reaching out. Conegliano’s work participates in a long tradition of representing women in idealized roles, while attempting to bring a sense of lived reality and emotion to these figures. As viewers we must ask ourselves, to what extent does this portrayal reflect women's actual experiences, and how does it shape society's expectations and perceptions?