The artwork titled “Virgin and child holding a half-eaten pear” is a creation of Albrecht Dürer from the year 1512. It is an oil painting on panel and represents a religious subject commonly found in the genre of religious painting. This piece is associated with the Northern Renaissance movement and currently resides at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria.
In this softly illuminated painting, the viewer encounters the depiction of the Virgin Mary and the child Jesus. Mary possesses a gentle and contemplative demeanor, gazing downward with an ethereal calmness. She is portrayed with soft, reddish hair that cascades in loose waves and a delicate veil that envelops her head. Her garment, rich in color with a vivid blue hue, suggests her traditional associations with purity and divinity.
The child Christ is shown with rosy cheeks and plump form, typical of Renaissance portrayals of infants. His gaze is directed outwards, giving the impression of engagement with something beyond the scope of the painting. Notably, the child holds a half-eaten pear, which could be a symbol with multiple meanings, including the fruit of paradise representing Christ’s future sacrifice or a symbol of his humanity.
Overall, the painting exudes a sense of peacefulness and devotional grace, characteristic of Dürer’s meticulous attention to detail and ability to convey deep spirituality through his art.
