Artwork
Madonna and Child with the Young St. John the Baptist
Madonna and Child with the Young St. John the Baptist is an oil painting by the Early Renaissance artist Biagio d'Antonio. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum. Madonna and Child with the Young St.
About this work
Overview
Madonna and Child with the Young St. John the Baptist is a 1490 oil painting by Biagio d'Antonio, depicting a domestic scene of devotion with the Virgin Mary, the Christ Child, and a youthful Saint John the Baptist.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays an intimate encounter between the Virgin Mary, cradling the Christ Child, and a young Saint John the Baptist, who reaches out towards them, symbolizing early Christian narratives of sacred kinship and devotion.
Technique & Style
Biagio d'Antonio employs chiaroscuro, utilizing soft, contrasting light against a dark background to emphasize the tender forms of the central figures, set against a subtle, distant landscape with a praying figure.
History & Provenance
Created in 1490, the painting is now part of the collection at the Walters Art Museum, though its history prior to acquisition is not detailed here.
Context
This work reflects the Renaissance interest in depicting religious themes with heightened emotional intimacy and the use of chiaroscuro to create depth and focus attention on key figures.
Artist & collection
