2-999-936 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Virgin and Child, c1460. Tthe Virgin and Child are placed in a box-like room lined with gothic windows and a coffered ceiling. A decorative floral garland frames the space behind the figures, lending a celebratory air. The Virgin is richly dressed in a bright blue cloak lined with green velvet and clasped together with a brooch of gemstones and pearls. The Christ Child, sitting on an embroidered cushion on his mother’s knee, holds a tiny swallow (a common symbol of his death and resurrection) and offers a gesture of blessing. While Mary focuses on her son, Jesus appears to look at someone in the viewer's space to whom he directs his gesture of blessing.