VITALE DA BOLOGNA
(b. 1289/1309, Bologna, d. 1359/69, Bologna)

Madonna dell'Umiltà (detail)

c. 1353
Panel
Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milan

In this domestic representation of the Virgin, she is sitting beside the Christ Child, and she is embroidering with silk and gold thread. The baby Jesus helps her with her embroidery, by holding up a needle he has just taken from the needle-case he's holding in his other hand. And, with a gesture of maternal tenderness, Mary reaches out to touch her son's face.