Botticelli’s Madonna of the Magnificat – 525-Piece Round Puzzle

In Botticelli’s Madonna of the Magnificat, the Virgin carries the Child on her lap and is crowned by two angels while she is writing the Magnificat of the Gospel of Luke: “ Magnificat anima mea Dominum .” This is the opening verse of the canticle with which Mary, during her visit to Saint Elizabeth, thanks the Lord for having been chosen as the vehicle of the divine Incarnation (My soul magnifies the Lord) .
The Virgin is richly attired. Her head is covered with transparent veils and precious fabrics, her blond hair intertwines with the scarf tied across her chest, creating a play of movement in the figure, and her blue cloak is edged with a gold band that follows the Virgin’s shape.
Two angels hold the book and the inkwell where Mary dips her pen, while a third embraces the latter two.

In the Virgin’s lap we see the Christ Child, looking up, swaddled in a cloth, with a third angel kneeling reverently before them.
Observing Christ, one can notice that he holds a quill pen in one hand, while in the other he handles a pomegranate. There is great symbolism placed on the use of this pomegranate, and this is to convey the sense of passion.

Our attention is obviously focused on the Virgin and Child, but the background is of enormous importance. Indeed, masterfully crafted, it recalls the background within the Madonna della Bilancia , with its simplicity and rolling green hills.
What the landscape manages to reflect are the numerous influences on Botticelli from artists native to the Netherlands, such as Hubert van der Goes and Rogier van der Weyden. This inspiration and influence extended not only to the painting of the background, but also to the naturalistic and classical depiction of the figures.

What we also observe when admiring this painting is the sumptuous use of gold . It can be seen everywhere, and this is one of the reasons why the Madonna of the Magnificat was one of Botticelli’s most expensive creations.

We see gold in the angelic rays descending from heaven. Where gold has been used to maximum effect is in the crown of the star that sits majestically on the Virgin’s head.