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Virgin and Child

Gerard David Netherlandish
and Simon Bening Netherlandish
ca. 1520
Not on view
Gerard David has taken the Virgin and Child from his Rest on the Flight into Egypt (49.7.21) and placed them in a different context. Joseph is absent, and there is no overt reference to the journey of the Holy Family. Thus, in keeping with a contemporary trend toward the secularization of religious scenes, Mary is presented as the very model of a nurturing mother. A stream of milk flows from her breast to the lips of the Child, who turns toward the viewer and gestures with a spoon, linking physical nourishment with the spiritual nourishment he offers. The serene landscape was probably painted by Simon Bening.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Virgin and Child
  • Artist: Gerard David (Netherlandish, Oudewater ca. 1455–1523 Bruges)
  • Artist: and Simon Bening (Netherlandish, Ghent (?) 1483/84–1561 Bruges)
  • Date: ca. 1520
  • Medium: Oil on wood
  • Dimensions: Overall 10 x 8 1/4 in. (25.4 x 21 cm), with added strip of 3/8 in. (1 cm) at top; painted surface 9 5/8 x 8 1/4 in. (24.4 x 21 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
  • Object Number: 32.100.53
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Studies of ten (?) heads and two ears (recto); Studies of three figures and a head (verso), Gerard David Netherlandish, Metalpoint on prepared paper; verso: black chalk
Studies of ten (?) heads and two ears (recto); Studies of three figures and a head (verso)
Gerard David
ca. 1498
Virgin and Child, Gerard David Netherlandish, Oil on oak panel, Netherlandish
Virgin and Child
Gerard David
1490–1523
The Annunciation, Gerard David Netherlandish, Tempera on parchment
The Annunciation
Gerard David
ca. 1510
Holy Face, Gerard David Netherlandish, Tempera and gold leaf on parchment that has been trimmed and laid down on thin walnut
Holy Face
Gerard David
ca. 1485–90
Archangel Gabriel; The Virgin Annunciate, Gerard David Netherlandish, Oil on oak panel
Archangel Gabriel; The Virgin Annunciate
Gerard David
ca. 1510

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