Artwork

Madonna with Child between Sts. Flavian and Onuphrius

Madonna with Child between Sts. Flavian and Onuphrius, by Lorenzo Lotto, oil, 1506
Madonna with Child between Sts. Flavian and Onuphrius, by Lorenzo Lotto, oil, 1506

Madonna with Child between Sts. Flavian and Onuphrius is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Lorenzo Lotto. It dates from 1506 and is held in the collection of the Borghese Collection. Madonna with Child between Sts.

About this work

Overview

Madonna with Child between Sts. Flavian and Onuphrius is an oil-on-panel painting created by Lorenzo Lotto in 1508, now housed in the Borghese Gallery in Rome.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts the Virgin Mary in a blue robe, with the Christ Child, flanked by two saints: St. Flavian, identifiable as a bishop by his attire and staff, and the ascetic St. Onuphrius, distinguished by his bare feet and long hair. The Christ Child's gesture towards one of the saints suggests a narrative of divine interaction.

Technique & Style

Lotto employed oil paint on panel to achieve a rich, detailed composition. The dark background accentuates the figures, while the clothing and accessories exhibit intricate textures and vibrant, expressive colors, characteristic of Lotto's work during this period.

History & Provenance

Created in the same year as the Recanati Polyptych (1508), the painting's location before 1693 is uncertain, though it was likely painted during Lotto's transition to Rome. The first documented record places it in the Borghese Collection by 1693, where it remains.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Lorenzo Lotto

Artist

Lorenzo Lotto

Lorenzo Lotto (c. 1480 – 1556/57) was an Italian Renaissance painter, draughtsman, and illustrator, traditionally placed in the Venetian school, though much of his career was spent in other north Italian cities. He…

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