| Madonna of the Pomegranate | |
|---|---|
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| Artist | Sandro Botticelli |
| Year | c. 1487 |
| Medium | Tempera on panel |
| Dimensions | 143.5 cm diameter (56.5 in) |
| Location | Uffizi, Florence |
The Madonna of the Pomegranate is a tempera on panel painting created circa 1487 by the Italian Renaissance master Sandro Botticelli. It is now in the Uffizi in Florence. Sandro Botticelli was a leading Renaissance artist from Florence, Italy. The Madonna (art) uses the circular format, better known as a tondo, which focuses the attention on the main characters, the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, who are surrounded symmetrically by angels on each side. Botticelli's use of tempera grassa give the characters a real look, better known as a "naturalistic" style, which is common during the Renaissance. The Virgin Mary is holding baby Jesus gently in her arms while holding a pomegranate in her left hand.
The pomegranate being displayed has a few different interpretations of its meaning in the religious piece. There are many replicas of the Madonna of the Pomegranate made by artists who made copies as part of their artistic training.
A painting by Fra Angelico often given the same title is in the Prado Museum.