Template:POTD/2021-12-25
The Melun Diptych is a two-panel oil painting by the French court painter Jean Fouquet (c. 1420–1481) created around 1452. The name of the diptych came from its original home in the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame in Melun. The left panel depicts Étienne Chevalier with his patron saint Saint Stephen and the right panel, seen here, depicts the Virgin and Christ child. The Madonna wears a blue dress, white mantle and a jewel-encrusted crown. On her lap sits the Christ child, who is making a pointing gesture at the patron and the saint. The two are surrounded by blue and red cherubim, which greatly contrast with the pale skin of the Virgin and Christ child.Painting credit: Jean Fouquet