Madonna and Child

The Madonna and Child is a religious painting that represents the Virgin Mary and her infant Son, Jesus Christ. The word Madonna is from Italian ma donna 'my lady' (archaic). The painting is often used as a symbol of the Christian faith. The image represents the love and bond between mother and child, and is a symbol of hope and protection. The meaning of the Madonna and Child specifically symbolizes the motherly love of the Virgin Mary for Jesus. In the past, the figures were not humanized, but represented the qualities of divine beings and episodes in sacred history. It is one of painting’s most praised motifs and has been artistically represented in various ways throughout history.