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Virgin and Child with a Dragonfly

Master of Saint Giles Netherlandish, French
ca. 1500
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 953
Mary, the picture of serene radiance, gazes down at her child as he delicately holds a thread, which itself entraps a dragonfly. Further reinforcing the insect's captivity, Christ uses his thumb and index finger to ensnare the winged creature, which was understood as a symbol of the devil to contemporary viewers. The painting thus functions as a reminder of Christ’s triumph over Satan and his offering of salvation through his incarnation, death and resurrection. The green background is a later addition to the scene that covers areas of damage to the painting's paper support.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Virgin and Child with a Dragonfly
  • Artist: Master of Saint Giles (Netherlandish and French, active ca. 1500)
  • Date: ca. 1500
  • Culture: Netherlandish and French
  • Medium: Oil and tempera (?) on paper laid down on oak panel
  • Dimensions: 10 1/2 x 7 1/8 in. (26.6 x 18.2 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.131
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

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