Dieric Bouts
Netherlandish, c. 1420­1475
Mater Dolorosa (Sorrowing Madonna)
1470/75
Oil on panel
38.8 x 30.4 cm
Chester D. Tripp Fund; Chester D. Tripp Endowment; through prior acquisition of Max and Leola Epstein, 1986.998

Originally this Madonna was paired with an image, now lost, of Christ crowned with thorns. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is shown weeping and in sorrow because of her son’s cruel punishment. 

Saints and the Holy Family were traditionally painted as if they were more perfect than other humans, with halos and serene faces. Here, Bouts painted the Virgin Mary with red, swollen eyes and tears running down her cheeks.