The artwork, “Virgin and Child,” was created by Elisabetta Sirani in 1663. Rendered in oil on canvas, this piece belongs to the Baroque movement and falls within the genre of religious painting.
The artwork depicts the Virgin Mary tenderly holding the Christ Child. Mary is adorned in a voluminous red robe with a blue mantle draped over her shoulder, emphasizing her stature and purity. Her gentle, loving gaze is fixed upon the Child, who reaches upwards, creating an emotional bond between mother and son. The background is dark and unobtrusive, allowing the central figures to emerge with a heightened sense of presence and divinity. The intricate play of light and shadow, characteristic of Baroque artistry, enhances the forms and textures, imparting a profound sense of realism and spirituality to the scene.
