Madonna and Child (c. 1550)

Dated c. 1550, "Madonna and Child" is an artwork by Cornelis van Cleve. Context for c. 1550: The Protestant Reformation changed how religious imagery was commissioned in northern Europe, while Venetian painters made rich colour and brushwork a central concern. Elsewhere, the Mughal court in India developed a distinctive tradition of miniature painting, and printed images continued to travel widely between countries. Religion, a short history: Religious painting is among the largest bodies of art ever made, from altarpieces, icons, and illuminated manuscripts to devotional prints. Buddhist painting, Hindu devotional imagery, and Islamic calligraphy and ornament each have conventions of their own. The catalogue places it in Religion. The format is portrait.

Everything for "Madonna and Child" arrives digitally: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI. Once payment is confirmed, an email brings the download link, and from there you decide how to print it, whether at home, at a print shop, or through an online service. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Matching the frame to the image proportions avoids cropping. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size.

Flemish, 1520

If you like the visual language of Cornelis van Cleve, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.