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Mary with the Child and Singing Angels

Sandro Botticelli1477

Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin

Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Berlin, Germany

It is possible that this circular picture used to belong to the Brothers of S. Francesco in Florence. Mary is identifi ed as the Queen of Heaven by a crown, but at the same time she is the mother of the boy Christ, who is marked out for sacrifi ce. He is reaching for her breast. Theologians saw Mary as the giver of nourishment, as the mother of all mankind, and of salvation. Singing angels are praising her, with lilies in their hands as symbols of purity. Just as the ideal of earthly female beauty was always sought in the face and form of Mary, in the same way the angels can be seen as embodying youthful harmony. Botticelli mastered this demanding format with a calculated pictorial order that takes up the circular border: the Madonna is enthroned at the centre of a multiple encircling movement.

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  • Title: Mary with the Child and Singing Angels
  • Creator: Sandro Botticelli
  • Date Created: 1477
  • Physical Dimensions: w135.0 x h135.0 cm
  • Type: Painting
  • External Link: Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
  • Medium: Oil on poplar wood
  • Copyright Text: // Photo: © http://www.bpk-images.de, b p k - Photo Agency / Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin / Jörg P. Anders
  • Collection: Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
  • Artist Place of Death: Florence, Italy
  • Artist Place of Birth: Florence, Italy
  • Artist Gender: male
  • Artist Dates: 1445/1510-05-17
Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin

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