The artwork, titled “Virgin and Child,” was created by Rogier van der Weyden in 1454. It is an oil painting on a panel, measuring 31.9 x 22.9 cm, and belongs to the Northern Renaissance art movement. This religious painting is housed in the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH), located in Houston, TX, US.
The artwork portrays the tender and intimate interaction between the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus. The Virgin is depicted with a serene and gentle expression, enhancing the painting’s aura of divine grace. The Child, held close to the Virgin’s face, reaches up, symbolically seeking comfort and security. The artist’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the delicate rendering of the figures’ facial features, the texture of the skin, and the intricate drapery of their garments. The composition’s soft lighting and harmonious color palette further accentuate the sacred and serene atmosphere, characteristic of van der Weyden’s devotional works.
