Of the Madonnas I have drawn, this is probably my least favorite. I am satisfied with how it turned out…even for colored pencil, which I have previously noted is not a media I prefer. On the other hand, while the child has the same physical appearance as the image…I failed to capture him. The kid in this picture has a tenderness about him….
But that would be a stark contrast and overshadowed by the mother in the image. Schizzonosa is an Italian word roughly translating into finicky…or picky. When I selected this title, I was looking for a politically correct way of saying bitchy. This woman is singularly unpleasant. Why our senior son was ever interested in her I will never understand. How such a sweet boy was born of this person, I will forever be amazed by.
Still, it is one of my Madonna’s, and it is a decent drawing. Not all subjects are equal though…and I missed the mark on really capturing this one.
As is my practice, here is some background on Madonna’s in art.
Art movements throughout history have frequently depicted Madonnas or mothers, reflecting the cultural, religious, and social values of their times. Here are some key art movements that prominently featured these themes:
Byzantine Art (4th to 15th century)
- Characteristics: Known for its religious iconography, the Byzantine art movement often depicted the Madonna and Child in highly stylized and symbolic forms. The use of gold backgrounds and frontal, rigid figures were common.
- Notable Works: “Theotokos of Vladimir,” “Our Lady of Kazan.”
Gothic Art (12th to 16th century)
- Characteristics: Gothic art continued the tradition of religious themes, with an emphasis on more naturalistic and expressive figures. Madonna and Child figures were often part of elaborate altarpieces and stained glass windows.
- Notable Works: “Madonna of Paris” in Notre-Dame Cathedral, stained glass windows at Chartres Cathedral.
Renaissance (14th to 17th century)
- Characteristics: The Renaissance saw a revival of classical themes and a focus on naturalism and humanism. Madonnas were depicted with more realistic proportions and expressions, often in serene, idyllic settings.
- Notable Artists: Leonardo da Vinci (“The Madonna of the Rocks”), Raphael (“Sistine Madonna”), Michelangelo (“Doni Tondo”).
Baroque (17th to 18th century)
- Characteristics: Baroque art emphasized drama, movement, and emotion. Madonnas in this period were depicted with intense emotional expressions and dynamic compositions.
- Notable Artists: Caravaggio (“Madonna of Loreto”), Peter Paul Rubens (“Madonna and Child”).
Rococo (18th century)
- Characteristics: Rococo art was characterized by ornate, light-hearted, and decorative elements. Madonnas and maternal themes were depicted with a sense of intimacy and tenderness.
- Notable Artists: François Boucher (“Madonna and Child”), Jean-Honoré Fragonard.
Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (mid-19th century)
- Characteristics: The Pre-Raphaelites sought to return to the detail, vivid colors, and complex compositions of pre-Renaissance art. They often depicted Madonnas and maternal figures with great attention to naturalistic detail and symbolic elements.
- Notable Artists: Dante Gabriel Rossetti (“The Annunciation”), John Everett Millais (“The Virgin of the Rocks”).
Modern Art (late 19th to 20th century)
- Characteristics: Modern art movements such as Symbolism, Expressionism, and Surrealism explored new ways of depicting traditional themes. Madonnas and mothers were reinterpreted with abstract forms, psychological depth, and symbolic meanings.
- Notable Artists: Pablo Picasso (“Mother and Child”), Salvador Dalí (“Madonna of Port Lligat”), Gustav Klimt (“Hope II”).
Contemporary Art (late 20th century to present)
- Characteristics: Contemporary artists continue to explore themes of motherhood and the Madonna through diverse media and perspectives, often challenging traditional representations and incorporating modern social and cultural contexts.
- Notable Artists: Mary Cassatt (known for her depictions of mothers and children), Kehinde Wiley (“Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted”), Cindy Sherman (reinterpretations of religious iconography).
These movements and their depictions of Madonnas or mothers highlight the evolving relationship between art, culture, and religious or social values throughout history.
