The Virgin adoring the Child Christ
Relief
ca. 1480-1490 (made)
ca. 1480-1490 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This composition exists in many versions and with some variations, many of which show the Christ child on the Virgin's right. It relates to paintings by the Florentine artist Filippo Lippi (about 1406-1469). Slightly later versions, including another in the Museum (4032-1856) show God the Father without a crown. One example, now at the convent of Sant' Antonio, Chianciano, combines the later design with the same architectural surround and console as this version. The Christ Child is shown looking out, and therefore related directly to the viewer who prayed to or mediated on the image.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Virgin adoring the Child Christ (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Enamelled terracotta |
| Brief description | Panel relief, The Virgin adoring the Child Christ, workshop of Andrea della Robbia, Florence, ca. 1480-1490 |
| Physical description | The relief, which has an arched top and is framed in an egg-and-tongue moulding, shows in the centre the Virgin kneeling in left profile with hands clasped in prayer, gazing down at the Child Christ who lies on a bed of grass on the left side of the relief. Above the halo of the Virgin appears a half length figure of God the Father, crowned and with raised hands, gazing downwards at the Child Christ. Round him are six winged cherubim, and below, to the left of the Virgin's head, is the Holy Ghost in the shape of a dove. The figures a re enamelled in white, with black and pale brown eyes, and the background is blue with white horizontal clouds. The grass beneath the Child is green. Below is a console with egg-and-tongue and laurel leaf mouldings and a single four winged cherub head. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Object history | Purchased from the Gigli-Campana collection, £40. |
| Historical context | This composition exists in many versions and with some variations, many of which show the Christ child on the Virgin's right. It relates to paintings by the Florentine artist Filippo Lippi (about 1406-1469). Slightly later versions, including another in the Museum (4032-1856) show God the Father without a crown. One example, now at the convent of Sant' Antonio, Chianciano, combines the later design with the same architectural surround and console as this version. The Christ Child is shown looking out, and therefore related directly to the viewer who prayed to or mediated on the image. |
| Summary | This composition exists in many versions and with some variations, many of which show the Christ child on the Virgin's right. It relates to paintings by the Florentine artist Filippo Lippi (about 1406-1469). Slightly later versions, including another in the Museum (4032-1856) show God the Father without a crown. One example, now at the convent of Sant' Antonio, Chianciano, combines the later design with the same architectural surround and console as this version. The Christ Child is shown looking out, and therefore related directly to the viewer who prayed to or mediated on the image. |
| Bibliographic references |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 7596-1861 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | September 25, 2008 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
