Madonna of Bruges facts for kids
The Madonna of Bruges is a beautiful marble statue made by the famous artist Michelangelo. He created this amazing artwork between 1503 and 1505. It shows Mary, the mother of Jesus, holding her young son. This special sculpture is found in a church in the city of Bruges, Belgium.
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What is the Madonna of Bruges?
The Madonna of Bruges is a large sculpture carved from white marble. It shows Mary sitting down with Jesus standing between her knees. Unlike many other artworks of Mary and Jesus, this one shows Jesus looking away from his mother, almost as if he is ready to leave her. This makes the sculpture feel very unique and thoughtful.
Who was Michelangelo?
Michelangelo was an Italian artist who lived a long time ago, from 1475 to 1564. He was one of the most important artists of the Renaissance period. He was not just a sculptor; he was also a painter, an architect, and a poet! Some of his other famous works include the giant statue of David and the amazing paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
When was it made?
Michelangelo created the Madonna of Bruges between 1503 and 1505. This was a very busy and important time in his career. He was also working on his famous statue of David around the same time. The Madonna of Bruges was one of the few sculptures by Michelangelo that left Italy during his lifetime.
Where is the sculpture now?
The Madonna of Bruges is located in the Church of Our Lady in Bruges, Belgium. It was bought by a wealthy family from Bruges, the Mouscron family, shortly after it was finished. They donated it to the church, where it has been for most of its history.
The sculpture's journey during World War II
During World War II, many valuable artworks were stolen by the Nazis. The Madonna of Bruges was one of them. It was taken from Belgium and hidden in a salt mine in Austria called Altaussee salt mine. Luckily, a special group of art experts, known as the "Monuments Men," found it and brought it back safely after the war. This incredible story shows how important art is and how people worked hard to protect it.
Images for kids
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The statue being recovered from the Altaussee salt mine
See also
In Spanish: Madonna de Brujas para niños
