The artwork titled “St. Luke Drawing a Portrait of the Virgin Mary,” created by Rogier van der Weyden between 1435 and 1440, is an oil and tempera on panel painting, measuring 137 x 110 cm. It belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement and is classified under the genre of religious painting. Currently, the artwork is housed in the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
In the artwork, St. Luke is depicted drawing a portrait of the Virgin Mary, who is tenderly holding the Christ Child. The Virgin Mary is seated on the left side, clothed in dark, flowing robes, and gazing affectionately at the infant in her arms. St. Luke, robed in red, is positioned on the right, intently focused on capturing the sacred image, with his drawing tools in hand. The background reveals a meticulously rendered landscape viewed through an arched, window-like structure, showcasing a serene river and distant buildings. The detailed, lifelike quality exemplifies the Northern Renaissance’s emphasis on realism, intricate detail, and rich, vibrant colors.
