Madonna with Child Gentile da Fabriano 

Gentile da Fabriano painted this ‘Madonna with Child’ in Italy in the early 1400s, deploying tempera and gold leaf on a wooden panel. The painting reflects the culture of its time, dominated by the power of the church and the wealth of prominent families. The Madonna and Child was a popular subject for private devotion, and here, the artist emphasizes the human qualities of the Virgin and the Christ child. Mary’s tender gaze towards her son and the child’s playful engagement with the orange offer a glimpse into a relatable moment of maternal love. The gold background and elaborate drapery, however, elevate the scene, suggesting a higher spiritual plane. Gentile's use of expensive materials like gold leaf also speaks to the economic structures of the time, and patronage from wealthy families would have enabled artists like him to make such luxurious works. To understand this painting better, we can examine historical texts, religious treatises, and records of patronage. By situating the artwork in its original context, we can better understand its meaning and significance within the broader social and institutional landscape of the Italian Renaissance.