Madonna and Child 1455

Giovanni Bellini's "Madonna and Child" (1455) depicts a serene and contemplative Virgin Mary cradling the sleeping Christ child. Mary's hands are clasped in prayer, while her soft gaze conveys both maternal love and a sense of divine grace. The child, rendered with delicate realism, appears peaceful and vulnerable, echoing the theme of Christ's sacrifice. Bellini's masterful use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and tranquility, reflecting the growing Renaissance emphasis on naturalism and individual expression in Venetian art.