The Virgin and Child

Bernard van Orley painted this Virgin and Child around 1525, during his mature period as Brussels' leading painter. Van Orley's Madonnas of this period show the full synthesis of Netherlandish technique with Italian monumental form that characterized his court style Bernard van Orley introduced Italian Renaissance elements into Flemish painting, serving as court painter in Brussels and designing celebrated tapestry cycles The Virgin Mary occupied a central place in late medieval and Renaissance

The panel demonstrates van Orley's mature synthesis with the monumental figure treatment influenced by Raphael's designs combined with the precise Netherlandish finish of his Brussels training.