Madonna and Child (c. 1400)

"Madonna and Child" (c. 1400) is a work by Gherardo Starnina. Context for c. 1400: The fifteenth century saw the early Renaissance in Italy and the rise of the early Netherlandish painters in the north, when oil paint, linear perspective, and close observation of nature reshaped European painting. In East Asia, the Ming dynasty in China and the Muromachi period in Japan continued their own long traditions of ink painting and calligraphy. Religion in brief: Christian art follows long-established iconography, such as the Madonna and Child, the Annunciation, and the Crucifixion. Buddhist painting, Hindu devotional imagery, and Islamic calligraphy and ornament each have conventions of their own. It is listed in the Religion collection. The image is in portrait orientation.

On onlly.art "Madonna and Child" is sold as a digital download (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI). The files are delivered by email after payment, so nothing is shipped: you print locally, choosing the paper, size, and frame yourself. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Religious subjects rely on symbolism, gesture, and layered painterly drama, so they tend to read best in calm and composed interiors. Before printing, compare the proportions of the file with your frame so that nothing important is cropped. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks.

Italian, 1360–1413

If you like the visual language of Gherardo Starnina, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.