Artwork
Madonna and Child with Saints
Madonna and Child with Saints is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Parmigianino. It dates from 1530 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1530–1533, this oil on panel by Parmigianino depicts the Virgin Mary with the infant Christ, accompanied by the biblical figure Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. The work is part of the Uffizi Gallery’s collection in Florence.
Subject & Meaning
The central figures are the Madonna and Child, rendered with serene expressions, while the bearded Zechariah sits beside them, linking the scene to the Gospel narrative of John the Baptist’s lineage. A youthful attendant and a second female figure complete the grouping, suggesting a devotional gathering.
Technique & Style
Parmigianino employs a warm palette of deep reds, earthy browns, and muted blues, using chiaroscuro to model the figures’ flesh against a darker, ruined architectural backdrop. The subtle gradations of light give the faces a luminous quality, emphasizing the tender interaction between mother and child.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Uffizi’s holdings during the museum’s early acquisitions, where it has remained on public display. Its attribution to Parmigianino has been consistently affirmed by scholars since the 19th century.
Context
Executed in the later phase of Parmigianino’s career, the work reflects the Mannerist tendency toward elongated forms and elegant poses, while retaining the devotional intimacy typical of early 16th‑century Italian religious art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola (11 January 1503 – 24 August 1540), also known as Francesco Mazzola or, more commonly, as Parmigianino (UK: , US: , Italian: ; "the little one from Parma"), was an Italian Mannerist…
