Madonna of Humility
Sassetta·1437
Historical Context
Sassetta's Madonna of Humility at the National Gallery of Art, painted around 1437, depicts the Virgin in the humble seated pose that symbolized her meekness and accessibility. This devotional type was particularly popular in Siena where the Virgin was the city's special patron The Madonna and Child was the most ubiquitous devotional subject of medieval and Renaissance art, present in every church and many private homes as a focus for prayer and spiritual contemplation.
Technical Analysis
The intimate composition renders the Madonna and Child with Sassetta's luminous color and delicate modeling, creating an image of tender devotional beauty within the small panel format.
See It In Person
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