Virgin and Child 1525 - 1549

This “Virgin and Child” was painted by a Netherlandish artist sometime between 1545 and 1555, using oil on wood. Even at this small scale, you can appreciate the artist’s deft manipulation of the oil paint. Look at the way the Madonna’s cloak is rendered. Dark, almost black, but with subtle folds and highlights that give it volume. The artist likely built up thin layers of paint, a technique called glazing, to achieve this effect. Beyond the material, the decision to work on a wood panel is significant. Wood was a common support for paintings in the Netherlands at this time, and the tight grain of the wood would have provided a smooth surface for the artist to work on. The choice of oil paint allowed for the precise, detailed rendering of the scene. Considering these choices allows us to appreciate not just the image, but the artist's deep understanding of materials and process.