Who painted Madonna and Child with Saint Anne?

Madonna and Child with Saint Anne was painted by Liberale da Verona in 1496.

Where can I see Madonna and Child with Saint Anne?

Madonna and Child with Saint Anne is held by National Museum in Kraków.

What movement is Madonna and Child with Saint Anne?

Madonna and Child with Saint Anne is associated with Early Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Madonna and Child with Saint Anne?

Museum-quality prints of Madonna and Child with Saint Anne are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Madonna and Child with Saint Anne

Liberale da Verona , 1496

Madonna and Child with Saint Anne is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Liberale da Verona. It dates from 1496 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Kraków.

About this work

Overview

Liberale da Verona’s 1496 oil painting, titled *Madonna and Child with Saint Anne*, presents three seated figures in a compact arrangement. The work resides in the National Museum in Kraków and exemplifies the devotional imagery common to late‑15th‑century Italian art, focusing on the intimate bond between the Virgin, her mother Saint Anne, and the infant Christ.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre, the Virgin Mary cradles the infant Jesus, whose hand reaches outward, suggesting a gesture of blessing or future mission. Flanking them, Saint Anne—identified by her mature demeanor and attire—offers a generational link, underscoring the theological concept of holy lineage and the role of maternal intercession within Christian devotion.

Technique & Style

The figures are rendered with a delicate contrast: the child’s pale, smooth skin stands against the richly patterned red garments of the women, whose gold‑threaded fabrics catch ambient light. Liberale employs a restrained palette and careful modeling, while the background opens to an architectural doorway that frames a clear blue sky, adding depth and a sense of divine space.

History & Provenance

Created in Verona in the closing years of the 15th century, the painting entered the collection of the National Museum in Kraków during the 20th century, though exact acquisition details remain sparse. Its preservation in a major European museum reflects the broader movement of Italian Renaissance works into Central European public holdings.

Context

Liberale da Verona worked within the transitional period between the Gothic tradition and the emerging High Renaissance. The composition’s intimate grouping and attention to textile detail align with contemporary trends in devotional panels, while the inclusion of Saint Anne reflects the growing popularity of her cult in northern Italy during the late 1400s.