Artwork

Adoration of the Child with Young St. John and St. Dominic and Bernard of Clairvaux

Adoration of the Child with Young St. John and St. Dominic and Bernard of Clairvaux is a paint painting by the Early Renaissance artist Jacopo da Sellaio. It dates from 1475 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1475 by Florentine painter Jacopo da Sellaio, this tempera panel presents a devotional gathering around the infant Jesus. The composition places the child on a modest ground surface, encircled by a luminous halo, while three adult figures and a youthful attendant observe with reverence.

Subject & Meaning

The central focus is the newborn Christ, flanked by a kneeling woman and a man in dark robes, both directing their gaze toward the infant. A young boy, identified by his staff, stands nearby, suggesting the presence of Saint John the Baptist. Additional figures in the distance hint at the inclusion of Saint Dominic and Bernard of Clairvaux, underscoring themes of intercession and sanctity.

Technique & Style

Sellaio employs tempera’s fine, opaque layers to achieve delicate modeling of faces and drapery. Light and shadow are articulated through chiaroscuro, giving the figures a sense of volume against a landscape background of gentle hills and trees. The overall arrangement reflects early Renaissance ideals of balanced composition and naturalistic space.

History & Provenance

Trained in the workshop of Fra Filippo Lippi, Sellaio absorbed influences from contemporaries such as Botticelli and Filippino Lippi. The painting entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, where it remains on display, providing insight into the artist’s workshop practice and the devotional art of late 15th‑century Florence.

Context

The work exemplifies the Florentine tradition of intimate devotional panels intended for private contemplation. By incorporating saints associated with preaching and monastic reform, the image aligns with contemporary religious currents that emphasized personal piety and the veneration of holy intercessors.