The painting that I chose is “Virgin of the Green Cushion” also known as “Madonna of the Green Cushion” by artist Andrea Solario. This painting is said to depict Mary nursing Jesus. While breastfeeding in public is quite a controversial subject I found it interesting how many paintings during this time are of nursing women. Not only are they paintings of nursing women, but they are viewed as art. In today’s world, a picture of a nursing women would be considered (by most) pornographic or sexual. I like that this painting shows the natural beauty of an infant being nursed by breasts which were intended for this very purpose.
This painting was one of Andrea Solario’s most famous. While it was difficult to find information on him, it was known that Solario was born in Milan and was one of the most important followers of Leonardo da Vinci. He lived from 1460-1522. This particular painting was an oil tempera painting on wood dated from 1507-1510, it measured 59cm (23.2 in) height and 48 cm (18.9 in) in width. It is currently located in The Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
Due to the religious nature of this photo, I don’t think that it relates to humanism which is often viewed as the rejection of the importance of a belief in God. However, I suppose on a more literal level you could say that this painting does promote the humanist idea of providing for the welfare of humans in the sense that she is providing for him by giving Jesus the nourishment his body needs through nursing 🙂
Hailey's Art Appreciation Blog 