Artwork
Madonna and Child with Saint John
Madonna and Child with Saint John is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Francesco Vanni. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
The painting 'Madonna and Child with Saint John' is an oil on panel work created by Francesco Vanni, an Italian artist associated with the Mannerist movement.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, with Saint John the Baptist peeking out from behind her shoulder, a traditional representation of a sacred moment in Christian iconography.
Technique & Style
The artist's use of layered paint gives the figures a sense of depth and luminosity, particularly in the Virgin's red robe. The contrast between light and dark, known as chiaroscuro, emphasizes the figures against the dark background.
History & Provenance
The painting is now part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum's collection, having been created around the mid-16th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco Vanni (1563 – 26 October 1610) was an Italian painter, draughtsman, printmaker, publisher and printer active in Rome and his native city of Siena.
