Contarini Madonna


The Contarini Madonna is an oil painting by the Italian Renaissance master Giovanni Bellini, dating from c. 1475–1480 now in the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice.

Description

The painting shows the Madonna holding Jesus who stands on a parapet in the foreground. Below is a cartouche with the artist's signature, IOANNES BELLINVS. The blessing Child has similar features to that in the San Giobbe Altarpiece, dating to the same decade or a few years later. His icon-like staring appearance recalls the Byzantine painting, which was one of the roots of the Venetian painting school.
The background is formed by a soft landscape, with hills and a city with towers.