Madonna with Skull

Barthel Beham

National Gallery of Art

The image shows an adult woman facing left and looking down at a small child. The woman has braided hair, a calm expression, and a slight smile. She is wearing a blouse and is nursing the child. The child is reclined with closed eyes and curly hair. In the background, there is a landscape visible through a window with a castle or grand building, trees, and hills. A table near the woman and child holds an hourglass and a skull.