Description
The Bern Maestà is a small painting by Duccio di Buoninsegna showing the Virgin and Child on an architectural throne surrounded by six angels. Two support a richly patterned red hanging behind the figures while the others attend the throne. The Child tenderly presses his face towards Mary, bringing intimate affection into a ceremonial image.
Dated to around 1290–1295, the panel combines the Byzantine icon tradition with a new concern for volume, space and human feeling. It retains its original frame and belongs to Kunstmuseum Bern through the Adolf von Stürler bequest, received in 1902. The throne, gold background and carefully arranged angels create a ceremonial setting. Against that formality, the tender meeting of mother and child becomes the painting's emotional focus.






