Virgin and Child

Follower of Rogier van der Weyden (Master of the Saint Ursula Legend Group, Netherlandish, active late 15th century)

Not on view

Devotional images of the breastfeeding Virgin, the Virgo lactans, became extremely popular in fifteenth-century painting, particularly in Bruges, where the Sint-Donaaskerk housed relics of Mary’s hair and milk. While the motif generally derives from a Byzantine icon type (galaktotrophousa), the Virgin and Child in this picture were quoted from Rogier van der Weyden’s Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston). The seemingly archaic trompe l'oeil golden niche returns the image to its status as an icon.

The frame is original; hinge holes (now plugged) indicate that the panel was formerly the central element of a triptych.

#2622. Investigations: Virgin and Child, Part 1

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  1. 2622. Investigations: Virgin and Child, Part 1
  2. 2646. Investigations: Virgin and Child, Part 2
Virgin and Child, Follower of Rogier van der Weyden (Master of the Saint Ursula Legend Group, Netherlandish, active late 15th century), Oil on wood

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