Madonna and Child

School of Donatello Italian

Not on view

Sheltering the Christ-child beneath her cloak, Mary presses her check against his head. Her loving gesture identifies her as the Virgin of Tenderness (Eleusa) a sacred type that derives from Byzantine painted icons.

This terracotta relief was created from wet clay that was fired in a kiln, and subsequently embellished with gilding and bright colors. Sculptures such as these contributed to the richly hued, textured effects typical of ecclesiastical and domestic Renaissance interiors.

Madonna and Child, School of Donatello (Italian, Florence ca. 1386–1466 Florence), Figures: terracotta, polychromed and gilded; later background: wood, painted to represent brocade; frame: carved and painted, mouldings gilt, Italian

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Madonna and Child, School of Donatello (Italian, Florence ca. 1386–1466 Florence), Figures: terracotta, polychromed and gilded; later background: wood, painted to represent brocade; frame: carved and painted, mouldings gilt, Italian
Madonna and Child, School of Donatello (Italian, Florence ca. 1386–1466 Florence), Figures: terracotta, polychromed and gilded; later background: wood, painted to represent brocade; frame: carved and painted, mouldings gilt, Italian
Madonna and Child, School of Donatello (Italian, Florence ca. 1386–1466 Florence), Figures: terracotta, polychromed and gilded; later background: wood, painted to represent brocade; frame: carved and painted, mouldings gilt, Italian
Madonna and Child, School of Donatello (Italian, Florence ca. 1386–1466 Florence), Figures: terracotta, polychromed and gilded; later background: wood, painted to represent brocade; frame: carved and painted, mouldings gilt, Italian

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