Who painted Madonna and Child with John the Baptist?

Madonna and Child with John the Baptist was painted by Orazio Farinati in 1594.

Where can I see Madonna and Child with John the Baptist?

Madonna and Child with John the Baptist is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Madonna and Child with John the Baptist?

Madonna and Child with John the Baptist is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Madonna and Child with John the Baptist

Orazio Farinati , 1594

Madonna and Child with John the Baptist is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Orazio Farinati. It dates from 1594 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1594, this print by Orazio Farinati depicts the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus and a youthful John the Baptist. Executed as an etching and engraving on laid paper, the work exemplifies the devotional imagery common in late‑sixteenth‑century Italian printmaking.

Subject & Meaning

The composition brings together three central figures of Christian narrative: Mary, her son, and the future forerunner of Christ. Their arrangement underscores themes of incarnation and prophecy, with John the Baptist’s presence hinting at his role in heralding Jesus.

Technique & Style

Farinati employed both etching and engraving, allowing for delicate line work alongside deeper, more defined strokes. The laid‑paper surface contributes a subtle texture that interacts with the ink, enhancing the tonal contrasts typical of the period’s print aesthetics.

History & Provenance

The print originates from the artist’s workshop in the late Renaissance, a time when religious subjects were frequently reproduced for private devotion. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work is catalogued among Farinati’s known prints and appears in several early modern collections.

Context

During the 1590s, the Madonna and Child with John the Baptist was a popular motif, serving both liturgical and didactic purposes. Prints like Farinati’s enabled broader dissemination of sacred imagery beyond painted altarpieces, reaching a growing market of collectors and worshippers.