Dalmatian/Venetian, 'Altarpiece of the Virgin Mary', about 1400
About the group
Overview
This altarpiece is a unique example in the National Gallery’s collection of a work made by a late medieval artist working on both sides of the Adriatic, the sea between Italy and the Balkan coast. The picture may be one of the earliest painted representations of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception (the Virgin being conceived without sin). This was a controversial idea in this period. It was not officially included in Catholic theology until the nineteenth century, but it was celebrated in the fifteenth century, on 8 December.
The central panel showing the Virgin and Child includes celestial bodies – the sun, moon and stars – that became associated with the Immaculate Conception. The left side panels show the story of the Virgin’s miraculous birth to a couple who could not have children; the right side panels shows two miracles of the Virgin.
Key facts
Details
- Full title
- Altarpiece of the Virgin Mary
- Artist
- Dalmatian/Venetian
- Date made
- about 1400
- Inventory number
- NG4250
- Collection
- Main Collection
About this record
If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.
Works in the group
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The damaged inscription to the right of the Virgin describes her: Maria, mater humilitatis (‘Mary, mother of humility’). The so-called Virgin of Humility is usually shown, as here, seated on the ground, but with the Christ Child breastfeeeding. In Venice, a city with which this artist had close t...Not on display -
The scenes on this panel describe the conception of the Virgin Mary by her mother Anne. In the upper scene Anne’s husband Joachim attempts to make an offering of a lamb at the temple but is turned away before he reaches the altar by two bearded priests. According to the Golden Legend, a thirteent...Not on display -
The stories on this panel describe the conception of the Virgin Mary by her mother Anne. In the upper part we see a man slouched on the ground: Anne’s husband Joachim. His sacrificial offering was rejected at the temple because of his childlessness, so he fled to the hillsides with his sheep. Whi...Not on display -
These scenes come from a text written in twelfth century by an English monk called Eadmer, an early supporter of the idea that the Virgin was conceived without sin; they conclude in Helsinus Preaching the Celebration of the Feast of the Conception and (below) The French Canon restored to Life.The...Not on display -
These two scenes continue the stories on the previous panel, Helsinus saved from a Shipwreck and (below) A French Canon drowned by Devils. They come from a twelfth-century text written by English monk Eadmer, an early supporter of the idea that the Virgin was conceived without sin.The top portion...Not on display -
This panel is part of the predella (lowest section) of a large altarpiece. The altarpiece’s central panel shows the Virgin and Child, and panels on either side show narrative scenes of the lives of saints.The original predella showed Christ in the centre, surrounded by the 12 apostles, his follow...Not on display -
This is one of three sections of a predella, the lowest part of an altarpiece. The main panels of the altarpiece show the Virgin and Child, surrounded by narrative scenes of the lives of the saints. The predella originally showed Christ at the centre with the 12 apostles, his followers who preach...Not on display -
This panel is a section of a predella, the lowest part of an altarpiece. The main panels of the altarpiece show the Virgin and Child and narrative scenes of the lives of saints. The predella originally showed Christ surrounded the 12 apostles, his followers who preached his message after his deat...Not on display