One of the exhibition’s most celebrated works—and a favorite of exhibition-goers—has been Virgin and Child from the Melun Diptych, ca. 1452–55, which will remain at the Getty and be on view in the Museum’s West Pavilion from February 5 through September 22, 2019. The painting presents a dazzling vision of heaven with the Virgin Mary crowned and enthroned as queen and the infant Jesus on her lap. They are surrounded in glory by seraphim and cherubim, the highest order of angels. Dressed in a courtly gown with one breast exposed, the Virgin has the facial features of Agnes Sorel, the notorious mistress of the French King Charles VII. The painting is on extended loan from the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten), Antwerp, Belguim.
The Renaissance Nude traces the rise of the nude over the course of a century with masterpieces made in Italy, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, from the early 15th to the early 16th century.
Featuring more than 100 works in a variety of media, the exhibition casts its net widely. Painting and sculpture feature prominently, but so do drawings, illuminated manuscripts, and prints.
The exhibition looks not only at the centers most often associated with the Renaissance nude—such as Florence, Venice, Rome and Nuremberg—but also Paris, Bruges, and lesser known centers of Northern Europe. Artists represented include Leonardo da Vinci (Italian, 1452–1519), Raphael (Italian, 1483–1520), Michelangelo (Italian, 1475–1564), Titian (Italian, 1487–1576), Giovanni Bellini (Italian, about 1431/1436–1516), Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471–1528), Lucas Cranach the Elder (German, 1472–1553), Jean Fouquet (French, born about 1415–1420, died before 1481), Jan Gossart (Netherlandish, about 1478–1532), Hans Memling (Netherlandish, about 1440–1494), and many others.
Following its presentation at the Getty, the exhibition will travel to the Royal Academy of Art in London where it will be on view March 3 through June 2, 2019.
At the Getty Museum, the exhibition is generously supported by Jeffrey P. Cunard, Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer, Suzanne Deal Booth, Mrs. Robert F. (Lois) Erburu, an anonymous donor in memory of Melvin R. Seiden, and the J. Paul Getty Museum Director’s Council. Additional support is provided by Richard and Alison Crowell, Richard Deutsch and Graciela Fairclough, Alec and Kathy Wightman, and the Getty Patron Program.