Virgin and Child with an Angel (1520 – 1524) by Correggio

The artwork titled “Virgin and Child with an Angel” is a creation by the artist Correggio, dating from between 1520 and 1524. The piece employs oil on board as its medium and is a prime example of Mannerism, part of the Late Renaissance artistic period. It measures 69 by 57 centimeters and can be categorized within the genre of religious painting, a common thematic choice of the time, primarily focusing on Christian iconography.

In the composition of the artwork, the figures of the Virgin Mary, the Christ Child, and an angel are presented with a sense of intimacy and tender interaction. The Virgin Mary is depicted serenely holding the Christ Child, who appears lively and affectionate towards his mother. To one side, the angel engages with the child, completing the triangular arrangement of the figures, a compositional technique that adds both stability and a focus on the central subject of the artwork—Mary and Jesus. The soft, diffuse lighting emanates from an undefined source, highlighting the flesh tones and the gentle expressions of the figures, thereby enhancing the spiritual and emotional connection among them.

The artist, Correggio, has adeptly captured the human and divine relationship through his masterful use of chiaroscuro—the contrast of light and shadow—giving the scene a three-dimensional quality. The use of oil paint allows for a richness of color and detail, particularly noticeable in the rendering of the textures of the fabrics and the smooth skin of the figures. The angel acts as both a guardian and an observer, enhancing the narrative of the sacred bond, a recurrent theme in religious art of the Renaissance era.

The theme is underscored by a sense of harmony and tranquility, with the composition devoid of distracting elements, focusing the viewer’s gaze upon the intimate exchange taking place. The portrayal of the figures exudes both grace and naturalism, embodying a transition from the idealized forms of the early Renaissance to the more expressive and complex compositions that characterize Mannerism. The ‘Virgin and Child with an Angel’ stands as a testament to the evolving aesthetics of the period and Correggio’s proficiency in capturing both the human and the divine within his work.