Artwork

Madonna with the Child, Saint Cecily and Saint Albert

Madonna with the Child, Saint Cecily and Saint Albert, by Lorenzo Garbieri, oil, 1615
Madonna with the Child, Saint Cecily and Saint Albert, by Lorenzo Garbieri, oil, 1615

Madonna with the Child, Saint Cecily and Saint Albert is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Lorenzo Garbieri. It dates from 1615 and is held in the collection of the Capitoline Museums. Created in 1615, this small copper panel presents the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus, flanked by two saints.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1615, this small copper panel presents the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus, flanked by two saints. The composition is intimate, with the figures illuminated against a darkened backdrop, emphasizing their devotional presence. The work exemplifies early‑Baroque religious painting from Bologna, reflecting the period’s shift toward heightened emotional engagement.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure of the Madonna, clothed in traditional blue and red garments, holds the child close, symbolizing maternal protection and divine love. To her left stands Saint Cecilia, patron of music, identifiable by her modest attire, while Saint Albert appears on the right, his posture conveying reverence. Together they embody intercessory prayer and the sanctity of the holy family.

Technique & Style

Executed on copper, the painting benefits from the metal’s smooth surface, allowing fine detail and luminous color modulation. Garbieri employs a restrained palette of warm, muted tones, while chiaroscuro deepens the surrounding darkness, a nod to Caravaggist influence. Yet the composition retains the balanced arrangement and gentle modeling characteristic of Ludovico Carracci’s school.

History & Provenance

Lorenzo Garbieri, a Bolognese painter linked to the Carracci circle, produced the work during his early‑Baroque phase. It entered the collection of the Capitoline Museums, where it remains on display. The panel’s survival on copper has preserved its original coloration, offering insight into Garbieri’s synthesis of Carracci’s classicism with emerging dramatic lighting.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Lorenzo Garbieri

Artist

Lorenzo Garbieri

Lorenzo Garbieri (1580 – 5 April 1654) was an Italian painter of the early-Baroque period, active mainly in Bologna.

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