Madonna With Grape Hans Burgkmair (1473-1531)

The composition presents a seated female figure holding an infant, set against a landscape backdrop. The woman is draped in a deep red garment, its sleeves elaborately embroidered with geometric patterns along the cuffs and hem. She holds a cluster of grapes in her outstretched hand, offering them to the child who reaches for them. Her gaze is directed towards the viewer, conveying a sense of gentle contemplation rather than direct engagement.
The infant, depicted nude and plump, sits on her lap, his body angled toward the offered fruit. An open book rests on the woman’s lap, partially obscured by the childs position. The landscape behind them features a stylized tree trunk with an inscription affixed to it, alongside a distant vista of rolling hills and architectural structures rendered in muted tones. Two small figures are positioned within the branches of the trees, seemingly observing the scene below.
The color palette is dominated by warm hues – the red of the woman’s robe, the flesh tones of the figures, and the greens and browns of the landscape – creating a sense of warmth and intimacy. The dark background serves to isolate the central figures, emphasizing their importance within the composition.
Subtleties in the imagery suggest layers of meaning beyond a simple depiction of motherhood. The grapes, traditionally associated with abundance, fertility, and even Christ’s Passion (as symbols of the Eucharist), introduce a symbolic dimension. Their offering could be interpreted as an act of nourishment both literal and spiritual. The open book hints at learning, piety, or divine revelation – a suggestion that the woman embodies not only maternal care but also intellectual and religious virtue.
The inscription on the tree trunk is difficult to decipher fully from this view, yet its presence implies a textual foundation for the scene, potentially providing further context or commentary. The two figures perched in the trees could represent witnesses or angels, adding a sense of divine observation. Overall, the painting conveys an atmosphere of serene piety and maternal tenderness, infused with symbolic references that invite deeper contemplation.