Madonna of the Carnation Explained

“This painting, Madonna of the Carnation, was created around 1515 by Bernardino Luini,

an important Italian artist of the High Renaissance. Today it is housed in the National

Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., but it was originally made in Italy.

Unlike some of the other works we’ve looked at, this painting features only one flower—the

carnation—which is held by the baby Jesus in a vase. In Christian art, carnations are more

than just decorative. They symbolize heavenly love and the deep, enduring bond between Mary and Christ.

Luini’s choice to include a single carnation draws attention to the flower’s meaning

rather than its appearance. It’s simple, but powerful, reminding viewers