Madonna met slapend kind

About this artwork

depth 5.8 cm

Art Historical Context

**Madonna met Slapend Kind (Madonna with Sleeping Child)**Paris Bordone, a Venetian Renaissance painter active in the 16th century, created this serene oil on canvas around 1540–1560. The intimate composition (69.5 × 83.2 cm) depicts the Virgin tenderly cradling the sleeping infant, a beloved motif in Christian art symbolizing divine peace, maternal love, and the humanity of Christ. Bordone, influenced by Titian and the Venetian school, infused his works with rich colors and elegant figures, bridging High Renaissance harmony with emerging Mannerist grace. Oil on canvas was ideal for Bordone's luminous style, allowing glazing techniques to build depth and glow in the fabrics and skin tones—evident even in this modestly sized panel (3.5 cm thick, framed to 5.8 cm depth). Likely intended for private devotion, it reflects the era's demand for devotional images among Europe's elite, including Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, a Bordone patron. Housed in Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, this piece showcases Italian mastery in a Dutch collection, highlighting Venice's artistic export. Visitors are drawn to its quiet spirituality, a window into 16th-century faith and beauty. (178 words)