Virgin and Child c. 1475

Dieric Bouts' "Virgin and Child", a small panel painting dating back to c. 1475, depicts a tender scene of the Virgin Mary nursing the infant Jesus. The composition is intimate and focused on the two figures, with Mary's head slightly bowed as she looks at the child in her arms. Bouts, a master of the Early Netherlandish style, uses meticulous detail and subtle light to capture the moment of quiet devotion, emphasizing the spiritual and emotional connection between mother and son. The painting, now housed in the Städel Museum, exemplifies Bouts' artistry and the flourishing of religious art in the 15th century.