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

The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist was painted by Giovanni Antonio Sogliani in 1528.

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 Mannerism.

Artwork

The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist

Giovanni Antonio Sogliani , 1528

The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Giovanni Antonio Sogliani. It dates from 1528 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Giovanni Antonio Sogliani’s early sixteenth‑century work, titled *The Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist*, presents a compact devotional scene. Executed around 1528, the oil painting is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland. The composition centers on three figures rendered against a muted, darkened backdrop, emphasizing their intimate interaction.

Subject & Meaning

The central female figure, dressed in a deep blue mantle, is identified as the Virgin Mary, cradling the infant Jesus. To her right, a youthful Saint John the Baptist, clothed in red, stands in a poised yet gentle stance. The grouping reflects a traditional theological motif that underscores the familial bond and the prophetic role of John as the forerunner of Christ.

Technique & Style

Sogliani employs a subtle chiaroscuro, allowing soft illumination to model the faces and drapery while the surrounding darkness recedes. The delicate gradations of light create a three‑dimensional presence, and the restrained palette of blues, reds, and earth tones contributes to the work’s serene atmosphere. The brushwork remains fine and controlled, typical of Florentine painting of the period.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1528, the painting entered the public domain through acquisition by the National Gallery of Ireland, where it remains on display. Documentation traces its ownership back to the artist’s workshop, though earlier private collections are not recorded. Its presence in the gallery reflects the institution’s commitment to representing early Renaissance religious art.