The artwork, titled “Virgin and Child with Four Angels,” was created by the renowned artist Donatello around the year 1456. This Early Renaissance sculpture is presently housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London, UK.
The artwork is a bronze relief sculpture that depicts the Virgin Mary tenderly cradling the Christ Child, surrounded by four adoring angels. The composition is circular, framed by a decorative border inscribed with text. The figures are rendered with remarkable attention to detail and exhibit a profound sense of emotion and reverence. The Virgin Mary is positioned at the center, her serene gaze directed towards the Christ Child, who reaches towards her with an expression of innocent curiosity. The surrounding angels are delicately sculpted, each engaged in gentle gestures that convey a sense of divine harmony and protection. The relief work showcases Donatello’s masterful ability to create a sense of depth and movement within a confined space, exemplifying the innovative artistic techniques characteristic of the Early Renaissance period.