Virgin with Child

Virgin and Child passed into the possession of the Province of Salzburg as part of a donation from the heirs of Archduke Ludwig Viktor of Austria (1842–1919), and thus came to the Residenzgalerie.
The coat of arms of the Province and that of the Raitenau family show that the work was commissioned by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau (1559–1617).
Following mediæval tradition, the Virgin is shown enthroned with her Child, as victorious Queen of Heaven. In typical late-mediæval manner, she is holding out an apple to him. A tiny bird in his hand, the little Jesus reaches out for the fruit – symbol of redemption from sin, since he is receiving the apple from the hand of the new Eve. An arrangement of lilies, peonies and lilies of the valley symbolises the purity and chastity of the Mother of God.
In keeping with the maternal representation of the Virgin in baroque painting, the eye contact between mother and child expresses a loving relationship.
Under the baldachin, the dove of peace radiates its blessing down through the crown borne by two angels. Memberger uses shell gold to accentuate in relief crown, haloes, divine rays and garments; this valuable material reflects Wolf Dietrich’s wish for demonstration of his prestige.
The painting combines Renaissance elements such as the chequer-board pattern of the floor, enhancing the central perspective, with the baroque movement of the vividly-portrayed angels with their fluttering garments. Virgin and Child illustrates the beginning of a new style, the Baroque, which found its way into Salzburg through Memberger’s ecclesiastical patron.

DUCKE Astrid: Memberger Kaspar the Elder, Virgin and Child, in: DUCKE Astrid, HABERSATTER Thomas, OEHRING Erika: Masterworks. Residenzgalerie Salzburg. Salzburg 2015, p. 104