Anonymous, Madonna and Baby

For Artwork in Focus we explore individual artworks, critiquing their style and discussing their socio-political context. Today we look at Madonna and Baby by Anonymous.

About the Work

Titles : Madonna and Baby
Artist : Anonymous
Medium : Oil on Canvas
Dimensions : 38″ x 32″
Location : Museum of Bad Art

Baby?

Sourced from a thrift store before being donated to their collection, this painting is best described by the Museum of Bad Art itself :

“The subject of countless paintings over the centuries, the Holy Mother is particularly beautiful in this rendition. Her baby, not so much.”

In the work presented here, Madonna stands by the window as she hold her baby with her slightly-disproportionate-but-can-be-overlooked right arm. Her left arm conveniently hidden away from sight. She glances down lovingly at the baby-like creature in her hands. The infant seems to have developed enough agency to hold up his head-scarf and gaze out at the sky, as if checking for signs of rain. Grass simply merges with sky in the background.

Other Details

Madonna with Smile is housed in the Museum of Bad Art. It is part of the museum’s collection of Oozing My Religion

To learn more about iconic artworks and their socio-political context, visit Artwork in Focus.