Virgin and Child
ca 1479
Hugo van der Goes, a Flemish master known for his intense emotional realism (and his own struggles with mental illness), gives us a Virgin Mary who looks less like a glowing queen and more like a contemplative, perhaps slightly worried mother. She cradles a sturdy toddler Jesus against a rich, textured red background. Notice the little flower the baby is holding up? That’s a carnation, a subtle symbol of the suffering (Passion) that awaits him. The elaborate gold frame features the motto 'En esperance' (In hope), suggesting this was a private devotional piece for a noble family seeking comfort.
- Technique
- Oil on wood panel
- Material
- Wood
Location: Gemäldegalerie, Berlin
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