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The sensitive depiction of the Madonna and Child clearly demonstrates the close influence of Joos van Cleve. He returned to the subject of the Madonna and Child several times, including in his depiction of the "Holy Family" in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (c. 1512/13, oil on panel, 42.5 x 31.8 cm, inv. no. 32.100.57) – the composition was originally inspired by Jan van Eyck's (c. 1390-1441) famous Lucca Madonna (c. 1437) (Frankfurt a. M., Städel Museum, inv. no. 944). Cleve’s paintings, which were both intimate and rich with symbolic significance, held a great appeal for audiences at the time and were in high demand.

In this painting, too, the scene is embedded in an interior that is cosy and particularly attractive to a contemporary audience – a view from the window, wall panelling, and a bench with cushions, overlaid by a heavy, dark red curtain. The intricate design comes through in the texture of the centrally positioned, gold-ornamented upholstery with tassels. Many details convey the quality of the present composition: the delicate necklace, which anticipates the child’s later life, Mary’s finely woven curls, and the fruit at the bottom right, recalling a still life.