Madonna of the Eucharist by Botticelli Poster

Madonna of the Eucharist by Sandro Botticelli, c. 1470, is an egg tempera painting on wood depicting a classically refined and monumental Madonna holding the Christ Child in her lap while he blesses a plate of fruit held by a youth. The pale blue robe over softly warm red dress harmonises with tones of the cool Italian landscape typical in Florentine paintings of this period. The off-centre, non-frontal depiction of the figures against architecture set in perspective shows a growing awareness of the power of classical form as Botticelli advanced beyond the Gothic influences of his early years. Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510) was a Florentine painter of the of the early Italian Renaissance who apprenticed under the master Filippo Lippi. With strong Gothic influences, the mature work of Botticelli reflected a study of antique classical sculpture and was noted for its linear grace and rhythm, flattened relief-like forms with strong contours, and subtle colouring. The complexity of meanings in Botticelli’s compositions, from sources drawn from classical antiquity, mythology and philosophy, enthraled scholars for centuries.