Skip to main content

Bartolomeo Montagna, 'The Virgin and Child', probably about 1485-7

Key facts
Full title The Virgin and Child
Artist Bartolomeo Montagna
Artist dates living 1459; died 1523
Date made probably about 1485-7
Medium and support oil on wood
Dimensions 64.8 × 54.6 cm
Acquisition credit Bought, 1869
Inventory number NG802
Location Not on display
Collection Main Collection
The Virgin and Child
Bartolomeo Montagna
/

We know little about Montagna’s training but it is possible that he spent some time in Giovanni Bellini’s workshop in Venice. This composition, in which the holy figures are shown in half-length often set against a landscape background and usually behind a marble ledge, was pioneered by the Venetian master.

Christ sits on a Bible, perhaps a reference to the Christian belief that he was the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament. Mother and child each hold a cherry, a fruit which symbolised paradise – a reminder that Christ was the son of God and the gateway to heaven.

The simple but striking forms – for example, the broad triangle of the blue mantle and the way in which the anatomy is constructed from firmly outlined bold shapes – were perhaps inspired by Antonello da Messina, who was in Venice from 1475.

Download image
Download low-resolution image

Download a low-resolution copy of this image for personal use.

License this image

License and download a high-resolution image for reproductions up to A3 size from the National Gallery Picture Library.

License image
Download low-resolution image

This image is licensed for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons agreement.

Examples of non-commercial use are:

  • Research, private study, or for internal circulation within an educational organisation (such as a school, college or university)
  • Non-profit publications, personal websites, blogs, and social media

The image file is 800 pixels on the longest side.

As a charity, we depend upon the generosity of individuals to ensure the collection continues to engage and inspire. Help keep us free by making a donation today.

Download low-resolution image

You must agree to the Creative Commons terms and conditions to download this image.

Creative Commons Logo