Madonna and Child 1504

Cima da Conegliano created this oil on panel painting, "Madonna and Child," sometime around the late 15th or early 16th century. The painting presents a symmetrical composition, where the figures of Mary and the Christ Child are centrally placed, set against a serene landscape. A muted colour palette, dominated by blues, reds, and greens, evokes a sense of calm. The Madonna's gaze, directed downwards, creates a focal point, guiding our attention to the tender interaction with her son. Conegliano employs a structural arrangement that invites contemplation on the relationship between the divine and the human, framed within the natural world. The landscape isn't merely a backdrop but an integrated component, echoing the harmony between the figures and their environment. The use of light enhances this, softly modelling forms to emphasize their physical presence. It’s a formal harmony that suggests deeper symbolic meanings about motherhood, divinity, and nature.