The artwork “Madonna and Child,” created by Piero della Francesca around 1460, is an Early Renaissance religious painting within the Polyptych of St. Anthony series. It measures 141 by 65 centimeters and is currently housed in the National Gallery of Umbria, located in the Palazzo dei Priori in Perugia, Italy.
The artwork features the Madonna seated on an elaborate throne, tenderly holding the Christ Child on her lap. The Madonna is dressed in traditional Renaissance garments with a red underdress and a blue cloak, symbolizing both her purity and motherhood. The Christ Child is depicted nude, with a serene yet solemn expression, his right hand raised in a gesture of blessing. Both figures are adorned with golden halos, a common attribute in religious iconography to denote their sacredness. The background is detailed, featuring a decorative arch and intricate patterns, characteristic of Piero della Francesca’s attention to perspective and composition. The entire depiction exudes a sense of calm and divine grace, reflective of the spiritual reverence of the Early Renaissance period.
