Artwork

Madonna and Child with Saints Gimignano, John the Baptist, George and Peter Martyr

Madonna and Child with Saints Gimignano, John the Baptist, George and Peter Martyr is a chalk drawing by the Renaissance artist Guercino. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This 1628 drawing by Guercino is a religious work executed in black chalk on laid paper. It represents a devotional scene featuring the Madonna and Child with four accompanying saints.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, surrounded by Saints Gimignano, John the Baptist, George, and Peter Martyr. The arrangement of figures conveys a sense of reverence and devotion.

Technique & Style

Guercino's use of bold lines, expressive gestures, and chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth, volume, and drama in the figures. The strong contrasts between light and dark add energy to the composition, reflecting the artist's balanced style of naturalism and classical refinement.

Artist & collection

Artist

Guercino

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (8 February 1591 – 22 December 1666), better known as (il) Guercino (Italian pronunciation: ), was an Italian Baroque painter and draftsman from Cento in the Emilia region, who was active in Rome and Bologna.