On first look, your eyes are matched by the

stern peering gaze of the Madonna. Seated in

an elevated position, with the Christ child on
her lap, the importance of the Madonna
compared to the other subjects In the painting
is clearly apparent. The artist uses various
techniques and details to highlight and bring
focus to the subject of the painting.

The use of color. The artists use of gold as a

background color and to highlight the halo’s on
the heads of the saints and angels and that of
the Madonna and the Christ child brings luster
and radiance to the image, giving it the feeling
of divinity and purity. The large throne, also in
gold ,atop which sits the Madonna, draped in
black. The vivid black is contrasted heavily
against the gold and arrests the attention of
the viewer.

The artist uses subtle details to give the image

some dimension, such as the saints looking
through the side of the throne suggesting they
are standing behind the Madonna, and also the
shadows on the drapery of the Madonna. There
is also symmetry in the image as there are 6
figures on each side of the image, as well as
one angel on the bottom of each side. It is also
important to note that all the figures in the
image are facing the madonna, looking up at
her, again reinforcing her importance. She is
also quite large, twice as large as any other
figure in the image and taking up most of the
focal point of the image

On first look, the image seems calm and

pleasant. The clear blue sky, trees and foliage
sitting calmly in the background. In the
forefront, The shy and bashful looking Mary
and the Christ child draw the attention of the
reader.

The image is simple with only two subjects and

most of the image is dominated by them. The
artist manages to incorporate movement into
the artwork by the depicting the way the Christ
child is playing and the direction Mary is
looking in, giving the artwork a more real look.

The use of color, wherein the bright red top and

blue dress contrasted with the green at the
back all come together to produce a
harmonious image. The various shades of
green allow for the different kind of trees and
plants.

Of the two, the stronger would definitely be, in

my opinion, the madonna enthroned. The
vividness of the colors is more captivating. The
artist has also used many lines shapes,
patterns and hard surfaces, that gives the
image a certain, seriousness or realness.

The overall theme is also stronger as there is

more going on in the image. And represents
some kind of idea or is trying to convey somme
kind of message, whereas the ‘small Cowper
madonna’ is more straightforward.