Madonna of Humility (Fra Angelico) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Madonna of Humility |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Artist | Fra Angelico |
| Year | 1433–1435 |
| Medium | Tempera on wood |
| Dimensions | 147 cm × 91 cm (58 in × 36 in) |
| Location | Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Barcelona |
The Madonna of Humility is a famous painting by an artist named Fra Angelico. He painted it between 1433 and 1435. This artwork is made with tempera paint on wood.
It is currently part of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum collection in Madrid. However, it is on loan and displayed at the National Art Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona.
What the Painting Shows
This painting shows the Virgin Mary sitting on a cushion right on the ground. This pose, sitting humbly on the ground, is why it's called "Madonna of Humility."
The baby Jesus stands on her lap. Mary holds a vase with roses and a lily. These flowers are special symbols. Roses often mean motherhood, and lilies stand for purity.
The Child Jesus also holds a lily. He gently rests his forehead on his mother's cheek. It looks like a very sweet and loving moment between them.
Angels and Details
Above Mary and Jesus, there is a beautiful cloth. It's made of gold and black embroidered fabric. Three angels hold this fancy cloth up.
Two more angels are sitting on the ground below. One angel is playing an organ, and the other is playing a lute. These are musical instruments.
The people in the painting look very grand and important. Their clothes are splendid and colorful. The way the light shines on them and the use of blue paint show a classic Italian art style from the 1400s.
This painting is thought to be the same one that Giorgio Vasari, a famous writer, described in 1568. He wrote that it was in the home of the Gondi family in Florence. It was once part of a larger artwork called a polyptych.
See also
- In Spanish: Virgen de la Humildad (Fray Angélico) para niños
