Peter Johann Brandl (1668-1735) - attributed to, Peter Johann Brandl (1668-1735) - attributed to Mary with Child

Peter Johann Brandl (1668-1735) - attributed to
Mary with Child

With her left arm, Mary holds the sleeping infant Jesus, who rests his head on her shoulders. Her legs rest on the straw of the cot. In her hand, the child holds a small wooden cross, a reference to the later Passion. Mary looks down at her son with her head bowed and lifts the white cloth with her free hand. The light falling from the top left hits Mary's forehead and her shimmering blonde hair, while the shadow on her face is brightened by reddish reflections. The infant Jesus, whose head is surrounded by a halo, lies in the full light. Mary's blue cloak, which is pulled over the top of her head, adds a cool colour accent to the picture. At the top left, two putti heads appear in the darkness of the night, gazing at the miracle of Christ's birth.
A related composition by Peter Brandl can be found in the Muzeum hlavního města Praha (The City of Prague Museum). Oil on canvas, 32 × 26 cm