The artwork “Mary with the Christ Child” is a religious painting by the master artist Titian, created in the year 1561. Titian employed oil on canvas as his medium to execute this work, which measures 174 by 133 centimeters. The artwork falls under the Mannerism movement, which represents the Late Renaissance period. Currently, this piece of art is held within a private collection.

The artwork depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the Christ Child, a recurring and significant theme in Christian art, embodying the intimate bond between mother and child. Mary is seated, wearing a red dress with a blue draped garment over her shoulder and head, which was a common color scheme for the Virgin in Renaissance art, symbolizing divinity and purity. The Christ Child appears to be quite animated, engaging with Mary, which along with Mary’s tranquil and attentive pose, invokes a sense of maternal tenderness and warmth.

The background suggests a tranquil landscape at dusk, with a distinctive tree against the evening sky providing a natural element and possibly symbolizing life and growth. The use of chiaroscuro, the contrast between light and dark, is evident here, creating depth and volume in the figures while highlighting the emotional center of the composition—the bond between mother and child. The somber yet warm palette, along with the masterful rendering of fabrics and flesh, are characteristic of Titian’s work and contribute to the overall sense of sacred serenity that is central to the piece.