Madonna of the Book 1: nails
Madonna del Libro, by Sandro Botticelli, 1480-81
Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510) was an Italian Renaissance painter best known for his Birth of Venus and Primavera as well as numerous religious-themed works. One of my favourite Substacks,
, by , recently profiled one of those, Madonna del Libro. The poem below, I hope, will be the first of a series (in no particular order) of short reflections on details from that painting, as well as perhaps others. My knowledge of Christian iconography is somewhat limited, so if any readers wish to chime in with their own perspectives in the comments, please do.Botticelli detail No. 1: three nails His small hands grip three nails, small golden nails, that He will hold always, feeling their sting in his palms to be reminded of who He is and who He is to be: Son of Man, forsaken And as He grows the golden nails will lengthen, to become three golden thorns, one for each hand that they may not heal one for His two feet that He may not tread the earth poised to receive the force that will pierce His flesh through, raise Him aloft and hold the whole weight of His body, that much less for the loss of His blood: a man forsaken.
I don’t know if it qualifies as knowing “Christian iconography”, but I’ve seen a fair few Madonna and Child paintings in Italy. Like this one, they often contain a book, expressing, I suppose, the importance of literacy. Mother, presumably, is teaching the child to read (suggesting the importance of reading for both parties). I also wonder if, spiritually, child is teaching mother to read too.
Can't help but notice that Botticelli painted the nails in the form of arrows, and wonder if he wasn't playing off the common cherub (also called angels of love), but here the Child has gathered up the nails and will not be sending them off. They are a clear prefigurement, as you've interpreted, together with the crown of thorns.
Looking at the larger painting, I can't help but see the sad look of the Mother, knowing already, "This story will not end well."
Can't wait for the next poem on this painting!