The Virgin and Child on a Crescent

Albrecht Altdorfer

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a woman holding a child in her arms. The woman is standing upright and supporting the child on her left arm. She has soft and serene facial features with long, wavy hair. The child has curly hair and a cherubic face. Both figures are wearing flowing robes. Four angels or cherubs surround them, holding a detailed crown above the woman's head. The background includes halo-like arcs around the figures and cloud-like shapes at the base and edges.