Virgin and Child

The image of the Virgin Mary occupied an important place in Cranach's work. His "Virgin and Child" showing Mary in a bower was painted in 1520s. The right-hand part of the composition has been lost. Cranach invests the image of the Virgin with a special majesty. This is felt in the representation of Mary's noble humanity, her maternal love, gentle femininity and spirituality. The picture retains Christian symbols: the bunch of grapes that the Child is touching symbolizes his future sacrificial death, while the stream of water gushing out of the rock is the source of the new life that Christianity brings. The imaginary (although most characteristic of Germany) mountainous landscape with a river behind Mary also has an allegorical significance: mountains and rocks are symbols of spiritual nobility and steadfast faith. Cranach laid the foundation for the development of the national landscape in German painting.