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Virgin and Child

Joos van Cleve Netherlandish
ca. 1525
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 638
Two iconographic themes are combined in this splendid painting: the joys of motherhood and the sorrowful premonition of Christ's death. The sleeping infant is traditionally understood as a prefiguration of the dead Christ embraced by the Virgin, known as the Pietà. Contemplating her devotional reading, Mary points to her prayer book, in which two pages are legible. Taken from the Magnificat (Luke 1:54–55), celebrating the Annunciation, and the De Profundis (Psalm 130:1–2), used in the Mass for the dead, the verses foreshadow the Virgin’s rejoicing in the fulfillment of Christ’s destiny and her suffering at her son’s death.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Virgin and Child
  • Artist: Joos van Cleve (Netherlandish, Cleve ca. 1485–1540/41 Antwerp) and a collaborator
  • Date: ca. 1525
  • Medium: Oil on wood
  • Dimensions: Overall 28 3/8 x 21 1/4 in. (72.1 x 54 cm); painted surface 27 3/4 x 20 3/4 in. (70.5 x 52.7 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection, 1982
  • Object Number: 1982.60.47
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

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The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Netherlandish (Antwerp) Painters Netherlandish, Oil on wood
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt
Netherlandish (Antwerp) Painters
The Crucifixion with Saints and a Donor, Joos van Cleve and a collaborator Netherlandish, Oil on wood
The Crucifixion with Saints and a Donor
Joos van Cleve
ca. 1520
The Holy Family, Joos van Cleve Netherlandish, Oil on oak panel, Netherlandish
The Holy Family
Joos van Cleve
possibly 1527–33
The Last Judgment, Joos van Cleve Netherlandish, Oil on wood
The Last Judgment
Joos van Cleve
ca. 1525–30
Francis I (1494–1547), King of France, Joos van Cleve Netherlandish, Oil on canvas, transferred from wood
Francis I (1494–1547), King of France
Joos van Cleve

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