Flemish Madonna

A day in Cambridge again today - yesterday was work, today was play, including a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum. I wanted to show J my favourite artistic depiction of the Madonna: Virgin and Child, c.1525-30, by Joos van Cleve (c.1485-1540). I love the expression on her face - unlike the usual formalised depiction of Mary, this lass looks like an ordinary, fresh-faced young woman, looking with unaffected delight at the child in her arms. (I have to say, I think the depiction of the baby Jesus is less successful and more stylised). The genuine smile on her face is so refreshing, and for me sets it apart from most depictions of Mary (and, for that matter, other women) in the history of art. I like van Cleve's work (and have a huge book about him, which has this image as it's cover picture) but this is my favourite.

And yes, I asked permission to take this picture!