Artwork

Madonna and Child

Madonna and Child, by Girolamo Romanino, oil, 1527
Madonna and Child, by Girolamo Romanino, oil, 1527

Madonna and Child is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Girolamo Romanino. It dates from 1527 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Girolamo Romanino's *Madonna and Child* (1527) is an oil painting depicting the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child, executed in the Mannerist style during the Italian High Renaissance.

Subject & Meaning

The painting represents a serene scene of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, conveying a sense of intimacy and quiet contemplation. The subject is traditional, yet the emotional nuances and the baby's direct gaze add depth to the religious theme.

Technique & Style

Romanino employs chiaroscuro to create depth, with strong contrasts between light and shadow, particularly evident in the rendering of the soft, heavy red cloak. The Mannerist style is reflected in the subtle, enigmatic facial expressions and the carefully composed still-life elements in the background.

History & Provenance

Created around 1527 by Girolamo Romanino, an artist whose career spanned the transition between the High Renaissance and Mannerism, the painting is now part of the collection at the State Hermitage Museum.

Context

This work reflects the artistic shifts of the early 16th century, combining the harmony of the High Renaissance with the emerging complexities of Mannerism, characteristic of Romanino's adaptable style across the Veneto and Lombardy regions.

Legacy

While specific influence of this *Madonna and Child* on later art is not widely documented, it contributes to the broader understanding of Mannerist developments in Italian painting and Romanino's place within this artistic evolution.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Girolamo Romanino

Artist

Girolamo Romanino

Girolamo Romani, known as Romanino (c. 1485 – c. 1566), was an Italian High Renaissance painter active in the Veneto and Lombardy, near Brescia. His long career brought forth several different styles.

Hermitage Museum

Museum

Hermitage Museum

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Hermitage Museum open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.