Unknown
Perugino's "Madonna and Child with a Swallow", before 12 July 1902
Albumen print
This vertical photograph of a painting on panel depicts the Virgin Mary holding the child Jesus Christ. The photograph reproduces the painting in brown and off-white tones. The light-skinned Mary can be seen in the center. She is seated and wearing a light-colored dress with a dark cape and head covering. The cape in trimmed in a patterned border. She has a halo above her head and looks at you with her had slightly tilted to the side. The light-skinned baby Jesus is to our right, on Mary's lap, and looking at you. He is not clothed, and he has a halo above his head. In his left had he hold a dark-colored bird. The pair are in front of an architectural niche, with an arch above and columns to both sides.
Blue Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.