a visit with jesus

 Bible Art

Virgin and Child Enthroned
Artist: Cimabue
 1290-1300    Painting

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Cimabue painted several versions of the Virgin and Child enthroned (also known the Maestà ("majesty")). The image is set against a gold background that symbolizes the divine light and suggests an otherworldly dimension in which the scene occurs. Seated on a lavish throne, the Virgin holds Christ on her lap, with eight angels holding up the throne. Their halos are decorated using punches (tools used to create indentations) for gemstones. The Virgin gestures toward her son with her right hand thus following the Byzantine model of the Virgin Hodegetria, indicating that Christ will lead the way to salvation. 

This work of tempera on panel is in The Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy.

Virgin and Child with Saints John the Baptist and Jerome (Vision of St Jerome)
Artist: Parmigianino
 c. 1526    Painting

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This is one of Parmigianino's most accomplished religious works. it shows John the Baptist gesturing towards a vision of the Madonna as Apocalyptic Woman, cresting from tumbling clouds on a crescent of light. The Christ Child is oddly mature in years, large in size, and knowing in aspect. He, like the Baptist, looks directly at the viewer. He also appears to be selecting the passage from the Book of Revelations in which this scene takes place; an interesting detail of self-reference.

This work is oil on panel and is housed in The National Gallery, London, UK