Virgin and Child 1500

Hans Holbein the Elder made this “Virgin and Child” painting sometime around the late 15th or early 16th century in Germany. Holbein's art gives us a window into the religious beliefs and social structures of his time. During this period, religious imagery was used to reinforce the power of the church and monarchy. Holbein was working in a culture in which art served the purposes of religious institutions. By depicting the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child, Holbein participates in and comments on the conservative social functions of religious imagery. At the same time, Holbein creates an intimate connection between the figures, humanizing them and inviting the viewer to identify with their tenderness and love. Art historians use a variety of resources to better understand the social context of images like this, looking to historical documents, religious texts, and critical analyses.