"Modonna and Child" served as one of the major themes of Renaissance art (other common themes included: The Annunciation, The Deposition, The Pieta, and The Adoration.)
Compare the Raphael's "Modonna and Child with Book" c. 1502 (from my previous blog entry) with this earlier piece by Masaccio c. 1425 which I studied in London's National Gallery. The use of gold was more popular in earlier Renaissance as it signifies the wealth of the person commissioning the work. This trend, however, would later fade as artists become more interested in allowing their own skills to dictate the quality of their work. Nonetheless, Masaccio displayed great techical skills in painting a life-like baby. The use of shadow to show the baby's physique along with the baby's suckling gesture shows that Masaccio was a true master artist of his time. Interestingly, perspectives were used on the Christ Child's halo and the lutes of the angels, but not on Mary's nor the angels' halos. Symmetry is a classic trait of the Renaissance; this piece is almost perfectly symmetrical with the Christ Child as the focus. Unlike Raphael's piece, there seems to be little emotional interaction between the two central figures in this piece. The grapes and its red juices held by the Christ Child may be a symbol, foreshadowing His future blood and passion. Is the Mother looking away from her child, sadden by the Crucifixion that she already anticipates?
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