Botticelli's “Madonna of the Magnificat” at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence

Botticelli (1445-1510) “The Virgin of the Magnificat”

Painting - Tempera on Wood (118 x 118 cm) 1483

Sandro Botticelli, Virgin of the Magnificat, Uffizi Gallery, Florence Italy

Virgin of the Magnificat In this tondo, Botticelli depicts the Virgin writing the “Magnificat anima mea dominum.”

On the left, a standing angel holds in his hands the shoulders of two angels sitting in front of him.

The first of these two angels is holding an inkwell in which the Virgin is dipping her feather.

The second of these two angels is holding the book in which the Virgin has already written the first words of her beatitude:

“Magnificat anima mea dominum et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo, salutari meo.

Quia respexit humilitatem ancille sue ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes ; Quia fecit mihi etc.”

The Child Jesus and the Virgin together hold the symbol of the passion: a split grenade from which the seeds of the fruit appear.

Virgin of the Magnificat The right hand of the Child is placed on the arm of his mother, as if he were writing with her.

On either side of the painting, two other angels hold a crown illuminated by the heavenly rays above the head of the Virgin.

The infant Jesus, sitting on the Virgin's lap, has his eyes raised towards her.

All of Botticelli's talent is expressed in this painting, where the faces are so gentle and beautiful.

The curls and coils of the Virgin's hair are reminiscent of those in the Birth of Venus.

The clothing of the Virgin is also of great beauty.

Virgin of the Magnificat