Madonna of Humility and the Annunciation, In this polyptych is shown the Madonna and Child enthroned in the central panel, with a donor kneeling at their feet, and two angels crowning Mary with a bejeweled crown. Behind the Virgin and Child is an orchard of fruit trees (pear). The foreground is covered in lush foliage. To the upper left of the central panel is the Angel of the Annunciation (Archangel Gabriel), seen kneeling and giving the sign of blessing. Also shown with Gabriel is a vase of lilies, a symbol of the Virgin's purity. He is facing Mary, who is shown in the opposite panel, on the right side of the central panel where she kneels in prayer and devotion. In the lower left panel, the birth of Christ (Nativity) is shown, with Mary and Joseph in adoration of the Christ Child, who is lying on Mary's garment on the ground, with the manager and stable with ox and ass in the middle ground and a landscape in the background. The lower right panel shows the Pieta, with the Dead Christ lying across Mary's lap. The hill of the crucifixion with the three crosses can be seen in the background., 1465

Item — Box: 190

Identifier: spc-mss0088-s19-i0310

Madonna of Humility and the Annunciation, In this polyptych is shown the Madonna and Child enthroned in the central panel, with a donor kneeling at their feet, and two angels crowning Mary with a bejeweled crown. Behind the Virgin and Child is an orchard of fruit trees (pear). The foreground is covered in lush foliage. To the upper left of the central panel is the Angel of the Annunciation (Archangel Gabriel), seen kneeling and giving the sign of blessing. Also shown with Gabriel is a vase of lilies, a symbol of the Virgin's purity. He is facing Mary, who is shown in the opposite panel, on the right side of the central panel where she kneels in prayer and devotion. In the lower left panel, the birth of Christ (Nativity) is shown, with Mary and Joseph in adoration of the Christ Child, who is lying on Mary's garment on the ground, with the manager and stable with ox and ass in the middle ground and a landscape in the background. The lower right panel shows the Pieta, with the Dead Christ lying across Mary's lap. The hill of the crucifixion with the three crosses can be seen in the background.

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Scope and Contents

Vanderbilt photo identifier: SC.MSS.088.VENI.0309; Public Notes: This work was owned by the Earl of Wemyss, Gosford House, Longniddry, Scotland, bought on commission by R. Langton Douglas, May 1916. Acquired by Phillip Lehman in 1916, and bequeathed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, as part of the Lehman Collection in 1975. "I Vivarini" notes that this work was probably meant to be placed in the vicinity of the "Madonna and Saints" (of the Pinocoteca of Naples of 1465), citing Berenson (1919).

Dates

Creation: 1465

Creator

Bartolomeo Vivarini (alternatively: Vivarini, Bartolommeo; Bartolommeo Vivarini; Bartolomeo Vivarini) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Special Collections in the Jean and Alexander Heard Library. Collections should be requested 2-3 days prior to visiting in order to facilitate easier access. For questions or to request a collection, contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu.

Biographical / Historical

Subjects: Madonna of Humility; Life of the Virg; Deposition; Madonna and Child; Pieta; religious art; Annunciation; polyptychs; lilies; Nativity; Life of Christ; Birth of Christ; School: Venice; Style period: Renaissance; Technique: painting (technique); Work type: paintings