Madonna and Child (The Greek Madonna)

Giovanni Bellini

Download hi-res image TITLE Madonna and Child (The Greek Madonna)
AUTHOR Giovanni Bellini
DATE c. 1460 - 5
OBJECT TYPE AND MATERIAL Oil on panel
DIMENSIONS cm 84 × 64
INVENTORY 317
ROOM VI
Work on display

The so-called ‘Greek Madonna’ by Giovanni Bellini takes its nickname from the Greek μήτηρ Θεού, seen at the top of a badly preserved background. The Christ child looks very sad, resting his feet on a windowsill and holding a fruit in which certainly will be found sug- gestive symbols of His future Passion. This painting is one of the first to enter the collection of the Pinacoteca di Brera and comes from the Ducal Palace in Venice, where it was probably made for a court of scriptural law.