Biddende Maria Explained

Biddende Maria
Artist:Quentin Massys
Year:ca. 1500
Medium:Oil on panel
Height Metric:40.9
Width Metric:30.6
Height Imperial:16.1
Width Imperial:12
Metric Unit:cm
Imperial Unit:in
City:Antwerp
Museum:Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp

The Biddende Maria (Mary in Prayer or Virgin at prayer) is an oil-on-panel painting by the Flemish Renaissance artist Quentin Matsys. The painting was produced in the first decade of the 16th century, probably in 1500. The painting is currently housed at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp. The panel is the interior of the left wing of a diptych[1] with the painting on the other side being a Salvator Mundi.[2]

Painting

The painting depicts Mary at prayer.[3] Her head is covered with a gauze veil upon which rests a crown. The painting's delicate rendering and soft hues create a sweetness that is tempered by the figure's stately and austere bearing.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Jeltje Dijkstra . Paul P. W. M. Dirkse . Anneloes E. A. M. Smits . De schilderijen van Museum Catharijneconvent . 1982. Waanders. 161–163. 978-0-598-07700-4 .
  2. Book: Aartsbisschoppelijk Mus. . 16 sept. tot en met 14 nov. 1971, Aartsbisschoppelijk Museum, Utrecht . 1971. Aartsbisschoppelijk Museum. 6.
  3. Web site: Virgin at prayer, ca. 1500 . . 22 August 2020.
  4. Book: Max Rooses . Jan Baptist P. Michiels . History of the Antwerp painting school . 1879. Cough. 88–90.