Artwork
Madonna of the Well or Madonna and Child with the young St. John the Baptist
Madonna of the Well or Madonna and Child with the young St. John the Baptist is a tempera painting by the High Renaissance artist Franciabigio. It dates from 1517 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1517 by the Florentine painter Francesco di Cristofano, known as Franciabigio, this tempera panel presents a quiet devotional scene.
Created in 1517 by the Florentine painter Francesco di Cristofano, known as Franciabigio, this tempera panel presents a quiet devotional scene. The composition centers on a seated woman in a red garment holding an infant, accompanied by a kneeling child. The figures are set against a gently illuminated landscape that stretches to a sky dotted with soft clouds, reflecting the balanced aesthetics of the High Renaissance.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is the Virgin Mary, depicted in a serene pose while cradling the Christ Child. The kneeling youngster, traditionally identified as the infant John the Baptist, reaches toward the pair, his upward gaze suggesting reverence and foreshadowing his future role as the forerunner of Christ. The interaction among the three figures conveys themes of familial intimacy and theological connection.
Technique & Style
Executed in egg‑tempera, the work demonstrates the medium’s characteristic luminosity and fine detailing. Franciabigio applied thin, fast‑drying layers of pigment mixed with egg yolk, achieving a smooth surface that captures subtle shifts of light on skin and fabric. The careful modeling of flesh tones and the delicate rendering of the red dress illustrate the artist’s mastery of color modulation and spatial harmony.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the painting has been part of the Uffizi Gallery’s collection in Florence, where it remains on display. Its attribution to Franciabigio aligns with his known output during the High Renaissance, and the work contributes to the museum’s representation of Florentine religious art from the early sixteenth century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Franciabigio (1482 – 24 January 1525) was an Italian painter of the Florentine Renaissance. His true name may have been Francesco di Cristofano; he is also referred to as either Marcantonio Franciabigio or Francia Bigio.
