Who painted Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Francis?

Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Francis was painted by Francesco Albani in 1610.

Where can I see Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Francis?

Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Francis is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

What movement is Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Francis?

Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Francis is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Francis?

Museum-quality prints of Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Francis are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Francis

Francesco Albani , 1610

Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Francis is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Francesco Albani. It dates from 1610 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

Francesco Albani’s early‑17th‑century canvas, titled *Virgin and Child Adored by Saint Francis*, presents a devotional scene in which the Virgin Mary holds the infant Jesus while Saint Francis kneels in reverent prayer. The composition is framed by a tranquil landscape beneath a pink‑toned sky, creating a serene atmosphere that emphasizes piety and calm.

Subject & Meaning

The central figures—Mary in a red robe with a blue shawl, the infant Christ, and a kneeling Saint Francis—symbolize intercessory devotion. The presence of three cherubic angels, two flanking the Virgin and one behind her, reinforces the heavenly endorsement of the saint’s adoration, underscoring themes of humility and divine love.

Technique & Style

Albani employs a soft, luminous palette characteristic of the Bolognese school, blending delicate flesh tones with gentle atmospheric shading. The figures are rendered with graceful linearity, and the cloud‑borne throne creates a sense of elevation. Light is diffused across the landscape, lending the scene a harmonious, almost idyllic quality.

History & Provenance

Executed in 1610, the work entered the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to representing Baroque religious art, and it has been documented in the institute’s catalogues since its arrival.

Context

Created during Albani’s mature period, the painting reflects the Counter‑Reformation’s emphasis on accessible, emotionally resonant religious imagery. The inclusion of Saint Francis, a figure associated with poverty and devotion, aligns with contemporary devotional practices that encouraged personal identification with saintly models of faith.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Francesco Albani

Francesco Albani or Albano was an Italian Baroque painter of Albanian descent who was active in Bologna, Rome, Viterbo (1609–1610), Mantua (1621–1622) and Florence (1633).