Why it matters
Instead of the usual smiling Virgin holding her child, Michelangelo's Jesus stands almost unsupported, about to step away, while Mary gazes down and away. It was the first sculpture by Michelangelo to leave Italy in his lifetime.
Did you know?
- The Mouscron brothers, Bruges cloth merchants, bought it in 1504 for 100 ducats.
- It shares similarities with his Pietà in St Peter's.
- It was removed from Belgium twice after it arrived.
Based on the Wikipedia article Madonna of Bruges (CC BY-SA 4.0).
