Madonna of the Rose Bower, 15th century religious painting at Dominican Convent, Colmar, France.
The Madonna of the Rose Bower is an oil painting on wood by Martin Schongauer, showing the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child, surrounded by red roses and small birds, now housed in the former Dominican Church in Colmar, France. The panel measures about 200 cm tall and 114.5 cm wide and is listed as a historical monument.
The painting was made in 1473 and shows the influence of Flemish painters, particularly Rogier van der Weyden, whose work Schongauer studied closely. It originally hung in the Church of Saint-Martin in Colmar before being moved to its current location.
The red roses surrounding Mary follow a long tradition in Christian imagery, where they stand for love and devotion. The small birds perched throughout the composition are goldfinches, a motif common in religious painting of the period that traditionally points to the Passion of Christ.
The painting hangs in the choir of the former Dominican Church in central Colmar, within easy walking distance of the town center. Arriving early in the day is a good idea, as the church tends to draw more visitors during peak travel periods.
The painting was stolen from the Church of Saint-Martin in 1972 and recovered the following year in Basel. After its return, the decision was made to move it to the more secure Dominican Church, where it has remained ever since.
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