The inspiration for this painting is the beginning of a
prayer (the one the Christ Child points to): Magnificat
anima mea are the first words of the canticle sung by
Mary in praise of the Lord on her visit to Elizabeth, the
wife of Zacchariah, who is expecting a child (St Luke's
Gospel (I.46)) The Child is holding a pomegranate, the fruit
of paradise.
The images appears to the viewer as if looked at through
a convex mirror and typical of Botticelli is the flowing
verdant landscape in the distance.
(Text adapted from Gloria Fossi, Uffizi Gallery: The
Official Guide, all of the works,
1999)
