Madonna with Blessing Child . Giovanni Bellini
between 1475 and 1480
oil on panel
Height: 78 cm (30.7 in). Width: 56 cm (22 in).
Accademia of Venice
The Contarini Madonna (Italian: Madonna Contarini) is an oil painting by the Italian Renaissance master Giovanni Bellini, dating from c. 1475-1480 now in the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice.
Description
The painting shows the Madonna holding Jesus who stands on a parapet in the foreground. Below is a cartouche with the artist's signature, IOANNES BELLINVS. The blessing Child has similar features to that in the San Giobbe Altarpiece, dating to the same decade or a few years later. His icon-like staring appearance recalls the Byzantine painting, which was one of the roots of the Venetian painting school.
The background is formed by a soft landscape, with hills and a city with towers.
See also
San Giobbe Altarpiece
Sources
Olivari, Mariolina (2007). "Giovanni Bellini". Pittori del Rinascimento. Florence: Scala.
