Virgin and Child c. 1440 - 1450

Francesco Squarcione’s painting ‘Virgin and Child’ presents a symmetrical composition, enclosed within a decorative border. The central figures are framed by a circle, which then sits within the square format of the panel. This structural arrangement creates a sense of containment, drawing our eyes to the Madonna and Child. The artist uses color to differentiate the foreground from the background; the dark backdrop throws the figures forward. Squarcione’s formal manipulation of space is intriguing, and the use of line—particularly in the drapery and facial features—adds a graphic quality to the work. The decorative elements, while contributing to the painting's overall aesthetic, also serve as a symbolic frame. Ultimately, the painting's power resides in its formal construction. It invites us to consider how an artist can create meaning through the interplay of line, color, and shape, challenging us to look beyond the subject matter and appreciate the artwork's underlying structure.