Virgin and Child
15th century
The arched frame around the relief sculpture of the Virgin Mary, who supports the standing Christ Child, enhances the illusion of their appearance at a window. They would have seemed more naturalistic and striking to contemporary viewers because the terracotta clay (baked earth) the relief is made from was originally painted in bright colours. The Christ Child raises his hand in blessing and looks outwards towards the viewer. Devotional reliefs of this type were popularised by Donatello and were attached to interior and exterior walls.
