Madonna of the Pomegranate

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Madonna of the Pomegranate

Sandro Botticelli, c. 1487

Tempera on panel

143,5 cm diameter

Uffizi, Florence

The Madonna of the Pomegranate is a painting by the Italian Renaissance master Sandro Botticelli, circa 1487. It is housed in the Uffizi Gallery of Florence, Italy.

The picture's title is explained by the pomegranate in Mary's hand: this could be understood as symbolizing Christ's Passion, the wealth of seeds conveying the fullness of Christ's suffering. It could also be understood as a symbol of heretical art and signify the fertility of Jesus. A comparison of this painting with Botticelli's earlier tondo Madonna of the Magnificat reveals that the artist has now arranged the angels symmetrically, thereby avoiding the compositional difficulties of the older depiction.

The Christ Child, whose hand is raised in blessing, is lying securely in the arms of Mary, but the sad, melancholy expression on the faces of mother and child are intended to remind the observer of the torments the Son of God will suffer in the future. The angels are venerating Mary with lilies and garlands of roses. The Rosary is a prayer that was created in its present form in the 15th century, and rapidly became widespread. The beginning of this prayer is embroidered on the left angel's stola: AVE MARIA GRAZIA PLENA ("Hail Mary, full of grace").