Artwork
Madonna with Child and Saint John the Baptist on clouds
Madonna with Child and Saint John the Baptist on clouds is a paint painting by Jacopino del Conte. It dates from 1532 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Jacopino del Conte’s 1532 oil painting, titled Madonna with Child and Saint John the Baptist on Clouds, presents a celestial grouping of the Virgin Mary, the infant Jesus, and a youthful John the Baptist. Executed on canvas, the work is part of the permanent collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, where it remains on display as an example of early‑Mannerist religious art.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, the Madonna, is depicted in a blue mantle over a red dress, cradling the infant Christ. Beside them stands a child identified as John the Baptist, distinguished by a modest crown of thorns and a small cross, symbols of his future martyrdom and prophetic role. The composition emphasizes the holy family’s unity while foreshadowing John’s destiny.
Technique & Style
Del Conte employs a muted, atmospheric background of gray clouds that recede into depth, creating a sense of ethereal space. The contrast between the vivid blue and red garments and the subdued sky highlights the figures. Subtle gradations of tone suggest the use of sfumato, softening edges and lending a gentle, almost hazy quality to the forms.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1532, the canvas entered the Gemäldegalerie’s holdings during the museum’s early 20th‑century acquisitions of Italian Renaissance works. Its provenance prior to that period is not extensively documented, but the painting has been consistently attributed to Jacopino del Conte, a Florentine artist active in the transition from High Renaissance to Mannerism.
Artist & collection
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