The Virgin with the Swaddled Child

Albrecht Dürer

Cleveland Museum of Art

The Virgin Mary sits with a serene expression, looking down at the swaddled baby Jesus on her lap. Her long, wavy hair is parted down the middle and hangs over her shoulders in two braided strands. She wears a simple yet elegant dress with puffed sleeves and a gathered neckline. A halo encircles her head. The baby Jesus is wrapped tightly in swaddling clothes, with a halo around his head. He lies on his back across Mary's lap, his head tilted back and to the side. In the background, a distant landscape features a body of water with boats and a town on the horizon. The sky above is dark, with lines radiating from the halos, suggesting a divine presence. A small stone or plaque at the bottom left corner bears the inscription "1520". The overall composition is intimate and contemplative, capturing a tender moment between mother and child.