Virgin and Child
Medium
tempera on wood
Dimensions
unframed: 69.2 × 55.2 cm · framed: 79.5 × 64 × 5.5 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Medieval Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Holden Collection
Accession Number
1916.814
Tags
male
About this artwork
In his left hand the Christ Child holds a swallow. Swallows were thought to hibernate during winter in nests of mud. Their re-emergence in spring symbolized the Resurrection of Christ. This painting was probably the central panel of an altarpiece. After the altarpiece was broken up, the work was cut into its present octagonal shape.