Johan Maelwael: La Grande Pietà ronde (1400-1410)

(Musée du Louvre, Paris, France)

A painting by the Dutch artist Johan Maelwael (1370-1415). Maelwael first painted armorial decorations on cloth for Isabelle of Bavaria, Queen of France, but from 1397 onward he was the court painter of Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy and his successor John the Fearless. This tondo was commissioned by Philip the Bold and is a so-called Pietà - the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus. On this painting the dead Jesus is supported by God while the virgin Mary, the Holy spirit (the white dove), several angels and John the Apostle are showing crying. Painting from 1400-1410.