Madonna with the Sleeping Child (Madonna of the Zodiac) Cosimo Tura (1430-1495)

The composition presents a seated female figure cradling a child within her lap. She is draped in flowing robes and a veil that frames her face, drawing attention to her serene expression. The child appears asleep, his body relaxed and partially exposed. A dark background, punctuated by clusters of grapes hanging from vines, creates depth and isolates the figures. Below them, an inscription runs along a stone ledge.
The artist’s rendering emphasizes a sense of quiet intimacy and maternal tenderness. The womans gaze is directed slightly downward, conveying a contemplative mood rather than direct engagement with the viewer. Her posture suggests both protection and vulnerability; she holds the child close while maintaining a dignified bearing.
The depiction of the infant is notable for its realism. While idealized in some respects – particularly in his plumpness – he exhibits an unvarnished physicality that departs from more conventional portrayals of infancy. The exposed abdomen, rendered with meticulous detail, contributes to this sense of naturalism and may allude to themes of mortality and human fragility.
The inclusion of the grapes is significant. Symbolically, grapes often represent abundance, fertility, and even Christs blood in Christian iconography. Their presence here could be interpreted as a reference to divine grace or a foreshadowing of sacrifice. The dark background serves to heighten the symbolic weight of these elements, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and mystery.
The inscription at the base of the composition remains illegible in this reproduction, but its presence suggests that the work was intended for private devotion or as a memorial. Overall, the painting conveys a complex interplay of maternal love, spiritual symbolism, and human vulnerability, inviting contemplation on themes of life, death, and divine providence.