Altarpiece of the Virgin Mary
- Artist: Dalmatian/Venetian
- Date: about 1400
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "Altarpiece of the Virgin Mary", painted in the Dalmatian/Venetian region around 1400. The central panel shows a beautiful representation of the Virgin and Child, surrounded by celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and stars that became associated with the Immaculate Conception. This idea was still a topic of debate at this time and wasn't officially included in Catholic theology until much later.
The left side panels depict the story of the Virgin's miraculous birth to a couple who couldn't have children. The right side panels show two miracles of the Virgin, including one that might be associated with an English saint, although he was never canonised.
This altarpiece is unique because it reflects the artistic connections between the Dalmatian and Venetian regions through trade and exchange. It's also a very early image of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, using motifs found in both Venice and the coastal towns of Dalmatia like Zadar.
The artist behind this work had a distinctive style, with clear and simple storytelling, varied landscape settings, and playful details like shepherds playing bagpipes. He also used a limited palette of red, green, pink, blue, and some yellow to tie together all the images.
See it in person
Altarpiece of the Virgin Mary hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
