# Madonna of the Apple [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [ROBBIA, Luca della]() - Date: 1451-1500 - Technique: Glazed terracotta, 70 x 52 cm ## Commentary Luca della Robbia's images of the Virgin Mary represent a fascinating world, a world of intimacy and motherly tenderness portrayed under milky skies filled with luminous matter. Especially popular in religious circles, they were also appreciated for their qualities of brilliance and whiteness, alluding to purity and spiritual light. An example is provided by the Madonna of the Apple \(Madonna della Mela\) in which the thoughtful mien of the Virgin is contrasted by the lively and greedy expression of the Child who is holding the round fruit in his hands. ## Related artworks - [Apostle Andrew]() - [Apostle Bartholomew]() - [Apostle James the Great]() - [Apostle James the Less]() - [Apostle John]() - [Apostle Judas Thaddaeus]() - [Apostle Matthew]() - [Apostle Matthias]() - [Apostle Peter]() - [Apostle Philip]() - [Apostle Simon]() - [Apostle Thomas]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()