The Madonna and Child with a Music-making Angel

Albrecht Durer produces several drawings depicting the Virgin Mary, including The Madonna and Child with a Music-making Angel and also The Virgin Nursing the Child.

The drawing that you see here is the more complex and complete. There is a faint background landscape featuring some small towns plus the detail in the foreground features greater activity. The figures appear to be within a small garden as an angel plays music for the Madonna and her child. This is one of a number of drawings from the Nuremburg master of which there is very little available information, particularly of that translated into English.

Much of what we can surmise is based on his related artworks, meaning this was most likely produced in pen and Indian ink on prepared, tinted paper. Many of his drawings became damaged or lost over the years, but thankfully his incredible output ensures that there are still plenty still remaining.

The winged angel appears to be playing an early form of violin and relaxes on the ground in front of the Madonna. The artist makes use of his drapery skills here, with clothing faithfully captured, including overlapping layers of cloth.

Many artists have, of course, captured this theme within their own work, particularly during the Renaissance. It was Sandro Botticelli who perhaps revisited this topic the most, producing several famous Renaissance paintings including Madonna of the Magnificat, Madonna and Child and Two Angels, Madonna of the Book and Madonna of the Rose Garden.