How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

This is an early work by Francesco Solimena who was to become a well known artist working in Naples. It is a small and delicate work painted on copper, which gives a very smooth surface. The Virgin Mary was said to have been brought up at the Temple of Jerusalem where angels visited her daily. However, she is often shown being taught to read by her mother Anne, although angels are sometimes present. The older man here may be a priest of the Temple or Mary's father, Joachim.

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Bristol

Title

The Education of the Virgin

Date

c.1680

Medium

oil on copper

Measurements

H 26.7 x W 31.8 cm

Accession number

K2987

Acquisition method

purchased with the assistance of the Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund, 1966

Work type

Painting

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Queens Road, Bristol, Bristol BS8 1RL England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.

View venue

Artist or maker

Francesco Solimena

1657–1747

View profile

Virgin and Child Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (GMRC)
The Holy Trinity with St Philip Neri in Glory The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology
Study of a female Figure The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology
Sketch of 'Venus with Iapis Tending the Wounded Aeneas' Compton Verney
Study for 'Circe' Ulster Museum
The Birth of the Virgin The Bowes Museum
Rebecca and Eleazar at the Well York Art Gallery
29 more