Madonna and Child in the Clouds by Cornelis Bloemaert

Madonna and Child in the Clouds 1611

print, etching, engraving

photo of handprinted image

toned paper

natural tone

ink paper printed

print

etching

pencil sketch

charcoal drawing

charcoal art

watercolour illustration

tonal art

engraving

watercolor

Cornelis Bloemaert's *Madonna and Child in the Clouds* (1611) is an etching depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the Christ child in a heavenly setting. Surrounded by angels and a halo of stars, Mary appears serene and divine, embodying the traditional image of the Madonna. The composition is balanced, drawing the viewer's attention to the central figures. This small-scale work, measuring just 7 11/16 x 5 9/16 inches, showcases Bloemaert's skill in depicting detail and conveying religious themes.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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For many decades, Abraham Bloemaert was the leading Catholic painter in the Dutch Republic. His was a family business, with his son Cornelis making prints based on Abraham’s designs. Catholicism was tolerated by the Protestant majority, but Catholics had to hide their churches behind discreet façades; their devotion had to be private. Bloemaert’s star-studded recasting of Federico Barocci’s heavenly Virgin could be used for private devotion in the home.