Madonna and Child (Bellini, Milan, 1460–1465)

Madonna and Child is a c. 1460–1465 tempera painting on panel by the Italian Renaissance artist Giovanni Bellini, signed on the trompe-l'œil parapet (IO[HANN]ES B[ELLI]N[US] F.). It dates from his early phase, when he was still strongly influenced by his father Jacopo and by Andrea Mantegna. The Christ Child holds a fruit, symbolising Original Sin and foreshadowing his Passion. Some art historians feel the haloes and drapery are too archaic for the work to be by Bellini, but the signature's authenticity was confirmed by a 1999 restoration.[1]

Madonna and Child
ArtistGiovanni Bellini
Year1460–1465
Mediumtempera on panel
Dimensions78 cm × 50 cm (31 in × 20 in)
LocationPinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco, Milan

It formed part of prince Luigi Alberico Trivulzio's collection, which was originally assigned to Turin in 1935. However, this was disputed by Milan and the work now hangs in Milan in the Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco.[2]

References

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  1. ^ (in Italian) AA.VV., La Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco a Milano, Skira, Milano 2005. ISBN 88-7624-260-0
  2. ^ (in Italian) Mariolina Olivari, Giovanni Bellini, in AA.VV., Pittori del Rinascimento, Scala, Firenze 2007. ISBN 88-8117-099-X