Tablets from the Royal Chapel: Virgin with Child

In the museum of the Royal Chapel of Granada we can see numerous works of art, many of them belonging to the legacy of the Catholic Monarchs. Thus, it is important to know the panels of the Royal Chapel corresponding to the Virgin and Child.

Would you like to identify some of the most significant altarpieces that can be found in the Royal Chapel of Granada? Stay and read this article, we will show you everything you need to know below!

Virgin and Child on the throne

This jewel belongs to Hans Memling, who wanted the figures of the Virgin and Child to occupy most of the available space on the altarpiece.

Mary is depicted seated on a throne with vegetal decoration, dressed in a dark blue garment lined with greyish fur and covered with a large red mantle that unfurls as it falls over a carpet. The Child is placed on the mother's lap, lying on a white cloth and ready to be fed.

On the right of the painting we can admire a decorative landscape with a peacock and winding paths, while on the left side we can see a figure that could represent Joseph, linking the scene with the Rest at the Flight into Egypt.

Virgin and Child, seated and accompanied by 4 angels

This oil on panel was painted by Dieric Bouts and centres the composition on the Virgin seated on an elongated, covered bench. She has a large mantle that reaches down to the ground and looks towards the Child, who is reclining on her left arm.

On the right of the painting we can see a decorative landscape with a peacock and winding paths, while on the left side we see a figure that could represent Joseph, linking the scene with the Rest at the Flight into Egypt.

Virgin and Child on the Throne with two Angels

The author of this painting is anonymous, although it has been determined that he may be a follower of Dieric Bouts. The Virgin is seated on a rich throne with sculptural groups resting on curious capitals.

The group on the left shows the angel unsheathing the sword, and the group on the right shows Adam and Eve seated next to the tree of Good and Evil where the serpent is coiled.

Mary holds the Child on her knees and holds him with her two hands crossed in front of his body. In addition, on either side of the throne we can see an angel, both in white robes with bluish shadows.

Virgin over the Burning Bush and the Burial of Saint Catherine

This is a Greek panel from the Sinai school with two superimposed parts in which various scenes are depicted. The upper area shows God's appearance to Moses on the mountain of Sinai where the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame among the brambles.

In another scene we see the moment when Moses established that no one would believe him and also recreates the event of God giving Moses the so-called shema: ‘Hear, O Israel.... You shall love the Lord your God with all your soul’.

Our Lady with her son is in a cloud around the various images and below, in the lower part of the painting, is Saint Catherine of Alexandria placed in the tomb by two angels.

Madonna and Child

Although described as Italian, this depiction of the Virgin and Child is characteristic of Byzantine painting, which was highly influential from the 13th to the 15th century.

The Virgin and Child are crowned and adorned with rhinestones. The inscription ‘Ave Maria Gratia Plena’ can also be read on the altarpiece.

Madonna and Child (Madonna del Popolo)

Finally, in order to get to know all the panels in the Royal Chapel of Granada in relation to the Virgin and Child, we could not forget to mention the Madonna del Popolo.

This work dates from the late 15th century and its composition is taken from the one in Rome, in the Basilica Minore di Santa Maria del Popolo. This painting reflects an aspect of the religiosity that lived and tried to spread among the people.

Why visit the Royal Chapel of Granada?

As you have seen throughout this article about the tables of the Royal Chapel of Granada, inside this monument there is a museum that preserves multiple examples of paintings and altarpieces of high attraction, both for the antiquity of their creation, the beauty of their scenes and the people to whom they belonged.

If you would like more information about this site, do not hesitate to buy tickets for the Royal Chapel of Granada on the official website of the Archdiocese of Granada. 

Let yourself be surprised by this temple and enjoy all its rooms!