Who painted The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist?

The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist was painted by Cesare da Sesto in 1510.

Where can I see The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist?

The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist is held by National Gallery of Ireland.

What movement is The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist?

The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist is associated with High Renaissance.

Artwork

The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist

Cesare da Sesto , 1510

The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist is an unspecified painting by the High Renaissance artist Cesare da Sesto. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1510, this oil painting by Cesare da Sesto portrays a devotional scene that brings together the Virgin Mary, the infant Christ, and a youthful Saint John the Baptist. The work is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland, where it is displayed among other works of the High Renaissance.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, a woman in a red garment with a green shawl, is identified as the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus on her lap. Beside them stands a naked child, representing John the Baptist, who reaches toward the baby while clutching a lamb—a traditional symbol of Christ’s future sacrifice. The composition emphasizes familial tenderness and the theological link between the two children.

Technique & Style

Da Sesto employs pronounced chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the figures and give them a three‑dimensional presence. The soft modeling of flesh, the delicate handling of drapery, and the subtle gradations of color reflect the influence of Leonardo’s workshop, to which the artist belonged.

History & Provenance

The painting was executed early in da Sesto’s career, shortly after his apprenticeship in Milan under Leonardo’s circle. It entered the National Gallery of Ireland’s holdings in the 20th century, though earlier ownership records are sparse. Its attribution to da Sesto rests on stylistic parallels with other works from the same period.

Context

During the early 16th century, Italian artists frequently revisited the theme of the Virgin with Child and the infant John, a motif that allowed exploration of human intimacy within a sacred framework. Da Sesto’s rendition aligns with this trend, while also reflecting the Leonardesque interest in psychological expression and naturalistic detail.