Virgin with Child Enthroned, Surrounded by Angels c. 1430

The "Virgin with Child Enthroned, Surrounded by Angels" (c. 1430) is a small, yet intricate, painting housed in the Städel Museum. The work, by an anonymous artist, depicts a central image of the Virgin Mary, enthroned and holding the Christ Child, surrounded by six angels. The angels are dressed in white robes and hold musical instruments, showcasing their heavenly role. The artist's use of gold leaf for the background creates a radiant aura around the central figures, highlighting the divine nature of the Virgin and Child. This piece is a prime example of the devotional art popular in 15th-century Europe, and it speaks to the importance of the Virgin Mary as a powerful figure in the Catholic faith.