Virgin and Child with Four Angels

Diane Villanueva        

Title: Virgin and Child with Four Angels

Artist Gerard David    

            The oil painting was created around 1510-1515 in the period of Northern Renaissance. This painting is religious which is very common in artwork done in the Renaissance period. Virgin Mary is holding baby Jesus, Mary was wearing a bright red robe she was gazing at baby Jesus while holding him in his off-white blanket. she is surrounded by four angels, two above her head holding a crown that is meant for Mary she just birthed Christ while still being a virgin.   The two angels left and right of her were playing string instruments. It seems that baby Jesus and Mary are being praised. The ground beneath Mary was a light and dark blue, matching the robes of some but not all the angels. The ground and the robes corresponded with the bright blue skies and mountains. The angel off to the left was wearing a green robe which complimented the grass and trees. Looking closely, I noticed a monk standing way in the back underneath the tree. This is a perfect example of asymmetrical painting. Everything in the painting doesn’t always correspond but I do think they compliment each other. Colors, shapes were things are placed in the painting. The monk in the far back looking over at Mary and the angels was symbolic to me. Maybe meaning they are always going to be watched and protected.