Creative Commons License
Creative Commons License
The Virgin Mary Reading
(Renaissance Europe )
In this devotional panel, the Virgin Mary is depicted reading. Her status as the Queen of Heaven is emphasized by the golden crown-studded with jewels and pearls and adorned with red and white roses-held by the angels. Attached to the Virgin's mantle is a small pendant cross from which pearls are suspended. Antonello's preference for geometric shapes is characteristic of the early Italian Renaissance. From his study of contemporary Flemish painting, the artist had learned about the use of oil glazes. The technique permitted him to create unprecedentedly rich details with textures that reflected light in different ways, particularly visible here in the crown.
Provenance
Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.
Augusto Mazzetti [date and mode of acquisition unknown]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1911, by purchase [Bernard Berenson as agent]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.
Exhibitions
| 2006 | Antonella da Messina: l'opera completa. Scuderie del Quirinale, Roma. |
| 1984-1985 | Illuminated Manuscripts: Masterpieces in Miniature. The Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore. |
Conservation
| Date | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| Examination | examined for condition | |
| 11/2/1939 | Treatment | cleaned; coated; examined for exhibition; filled; inpainted; lined; reconstructed; stabilized |
| 4/9/1984 | Treatment | other |
| 11/28/1989 | Treatment | coated; examined for condition; filled; inpainted; surface cleaned; varnish removed or reduced |
| 1/10/1990 | Examination | chemical analysis; examined for technical study |
| 3/2/2006 | Examination | examined for exhibition |
Geographies
Italy, Sicily (Place of Origin)
Measurements
Painted surface H: 17 3/8 x W: 12 5/8 x D: 5/16 in. (44.1 x 32 x 0.8 cm); Framed H: 25 1/2 x W: 20 1/2 x D: 2 1/4 in. (64.8 x 52.1 x 5.7 cm)
Credit Line
Acquired by Henry Walters, 1911
Location in Museum
Accession Number
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
In libraries, galleries, museums, and archives, an accession number is a unique identifier assigned to each object in the collection.
37.433