Who painted Madonna and Child with Saints?

Madonna and Child with Saints was painted by Bonifazio Veronese in 1540.

Where can I see Madonna and Child with Saints?

Madonna and Child with Saints is held by Walters Art Museum.

What movement is Madonna and Child with Saints?

Madonna and Child with Saints is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

Madonna and Child with Saints

Bonifazio Veronese , 1540

Madonna and Child with Saints is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Bonifazio Veronese. It dates from 1540 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1540, this oil painting presents the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, surrounded by three saints within a tranquil landscape. The figures are arranged in a gentle circular rhythm that guides the eye toward the central Madonna, while the sky and distant horizon provide a calm backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a devotional scene in which the Virgin, clothed in vivid red and blue, cradles the Child. To her left, a saint in a red habit rests his hand on the boy’s head; a second saint in green touches the child’s feet. On the right, a nun in a white habit holds a book and staff, her gaze directed toward Mary, emphasizing reverence and intercession.

Technique & Style

Executed in the Venetian Mannerist idiom, the painting employs bright, saturated colors and elongated forms that convey elegance rather than strict naturalism. The artist balances light and shade to model the figures, while the composition’s circular flow creates a harmonious unity among the participants.

History & Provenance

The canvas was produced by Bonifazio Veronese, born Bonifazio de’ Pitati, a leading painter in mid‑sixteenth‑century Venice. After changing hands over the centuries, it entered the collection of the Walters Art Museum, where it remains on display.

Context

During the 1540s, Venetian art was marked by a shift toward refined elegance and complex spatial arrangements. Veronese’s work reflects this trend, integrating the devotional iconography of the Madonna and Child with the courtly poise characteristic of the city’s artistic circles.