#20343 Jan Mabuse Gossaert (Gossart) (1478-1532)

The composition presents a half-length portrait of a woman holding an infant. The figures are set against a dark background that emphasizes their pale complexions and the luminosity of the surrounding halo. A circular frame encloses them, contributing to a sense of solemnity and reverence.
Here we see the woman depicted with a serene expression, her gaze directed towards the viewer. Her features are rendered with meticulous detail, suggesting an idealized beauty. The hair is parted in the center and cascades down her shoulders, partially obscured by a delicate head covering adorned with a small red ornament. She wears a flowing garment of deep crimson, draped across her body and revealing portions of her arm and hand.
The infant nestled within her arms appears robust and vulnerable simultaneously. His skin exhibits a rosy hue, contrasting with the woman’s paler complexion. He grasps at her garments, creating an intimate connection between mother and child. The artist has paid particular attention to the babys anatomy, rendering his chubby limbs and delicate facial features with considerable realism.
The overall effect is one of quiet dignity and maternal tenderness. The subdued color palette reinforces this atmosphere, focusing attention on the figures themselves. The halo surrounding their heads suggests a spiritual significance, elevating them beyond the mundane realm.
Subtexts within the painting hint at themes of protection, nurturing, and divine grace. The woman’s calm demeanor conveys a sense of inner strength and acceptance, while the infants dependence underscores the vulnerability inherent in new life. The composition evokes feelings of piety and reverence, inviting contemplation on universal themes of motherhood and faith.