Virgin and Child (Anna von Bergen and her Son)
- Artist: Jan Gossaert
- Date: (after) 1521
- Medium: oil on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the Virgin and Child (Anna von Bergen and her Son) by Jan Gossaert. The work is painted in oil on panel, a medium that gives the figures a rich, almost luminous quality. Gossaert completed it sometime after 1521, a period when he was experimenting with more naturalistic detail and subtle color harmony. In this painting, the Virgin’s serene gaze meets the tender, almost inquisitive expression of the child, creating an intimate dialogue that draws the viewer in. The composition is balanced, with careful use of light that highlights the softness of the infant’s skin against the deeper shadows of the Virgin’s robes. The background is deliberately muted, allowing the couple to stand out. Gossaert’s touch is evident in the delicate rendering of textures, from the veil’s folds to the infant’s cherubic face. Overall, this piece showcases his skill in blending religious reverence with a keen observation of human emotion.
See it in person
Virgin and Child (Anna von Bergen and her Son) hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
