Madonna with Child 1405

Filippo Brunelleschi likely made this "Madonna with Child" from wood, around the early 15th century. The surface is painted and gilded, the smooth skin contrasting with tooled gold leaf. Wood was a common material for sculpture at this time, yet Brunelleschi has elevated it through skilled carving and surface treatment. The sculpture shows the influence of both the fine arts and the traditions of craft. The artist has rendered the figures with impressive naturalism, seen especially in the Christ Child's tender expression. Brunelleschi's "Madonna" reflects the social and religious context of its time. While the artist's labor is evident in the sculpture's meticulous details, it also speaks to the collaborative nature of artistic production in the Renaissance. Assistants and workshop members likely contributed to the less specialized tasks. Through an understanding of its materials and making, we can appreciate its cultural significance and challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.