has added two more angels to van Eyck's scene, and sets the figures in a recognisable contemporary location. The figures of Mary and Jesus are near identical in both works, from the vertical folds of Mary's dress, to the raised knee and arms of Jesus, with one arm reaching over his mother's shoulder, while the other reaches for her neck. van Eyck's work was influenced by the Icons of Byzantine art, and this influence carries through to Gerard's piece. Art historian Maryan Ainsworth describes the painting as a "devotional object for the veneration of an esteemed icon" and believes that the Byzantine influence "trickled down" from van Eyck. It is not known for certain, however, which specific icons may have formed the basis for Virgin with Child at a Fountain, though suggestions based on similarity of pose and form have been made, including frescos in Notre Dame des Grâce in Montreal and Santa Maria del Carmine, Naples. Gerard presents a very different representation of the Virgin than found in Byzantine representations. She is less a remote iconic deity and more recognisably human. Gallery References Sources Ainsworth, Maryan Wynn; Christiansen, Keith. From Van Eyck to Bruegel. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1998. Baetjer, Katharine; Moffett, Charles; Walker, Dean; Christiansen, Keith; Sprinson, Mary. "Notable Acquisitions". Metropolitan Museum of Art, No. 1975/1979. Borchert, Till-Holger. Van Eyck to Dürer: The Influence of Early Netherlandish Painting on European Art, 1430–1530. London: Thames & Hudson, 2011. Harbison, Craig. Jan van Eyck: the play of realism. Reaktion Books, 1995. Salinger, Margaretta. "An Annunciation by Gerard David." Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, volume 9, no. 9, May 1951. Smeyers, Maurits; Cardon, Bert; Smeyers, Katharina. Als Ich Can. Peeters, 2002. Further reading External links Virgin and Child with Four Angels at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Cult of the Virgin Mary in the Middle Ages, MMoA. 1515 paintings Paintings by Gerard David Paintings in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Paintings of the Madonna and Child Angels in art Musical instruments in art