Madonna and Child
c. 1470-1475
Domenico Ghirlandaio, the man who famously taught a young Michelangelo the ropes of painting, brings a tender humanity to this classic religious scene. Mary, draped in a rich blue cloak with intricate gold-trimmed borders, gazes down lovingly at the Christ Child. Instead of just sitting on her lap, the chubby baby Jesus is perched right on top of an open book—likely symbolizing the scriptures—while clutching a red sash. Set against a shimmering, textured gold background typical of the early Renaissance, the piece beautifully bridges the gap between stiff medieval religious icons and the lifelike portraits that would soon dominate the art world.
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