Artwork
Madonna with the Child and Sts Rock and Sebastian
Madonna with the Child and Sts Rock and Sebastian is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Lorenzo Lotto. It dates from 1518 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Canada.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1518, this oil-on-canvas work by Lorenzo Lotto depicts the Virgin Mary holding the infant Jesus, flanked by two saints. The composition is housed in the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, where it forms part of the museum’s Renaissance collection.
Subject & Meaning
The central figures are the Madonna and Child, symbols of divine motherhood and salvation. To the left stands Saint Roch, traditionally invoked against plague, while Saint Sebastian, positioned on the right, represents martyrdom and protection from illness. Their inclusion reflects contemporary concerns for health and divine intercession.
Technique & Style
Lotto employs a balanced arrangement and soft modeling characteristic of early 16th‑century Venetian painting. The oil medium allows for delicate transitions of light across flesh tones and drapery, while the figures are rendered with a restrained yet expressive realism that conveys both reverence and intimacy.
History & Provenance
The painting remained in private hands for several centuries before entering the National Gallery of Canada’s collection in the late 20th century. Its acquisition expanded the museum’s representation of Italian Renaissance art, offering insight into Lotto’s lesser‑known devotional works.
Context
Lotto worked during a period of religious upheaval and recurring epidemics, which likely informed his choice of saints associated with healing. The work aligns with contemporary devotional panels that combined personal piety with appeals for protection, a common practice among patrons of the era.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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…
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