Madonna and child with Saints Stephen and John the Baptist

The painting depicts the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child, accompanied by Saints Stephen and John the Baptist. The composition may include a portrait of the commissioner, Matteo Cavalli, resting his head on Saint Stephen's leg, though this detail's significance is rooted in local tradition rather than definitive proof.

Parmigianino's characteristic style is evident in the work's execution, with preparatory studies surviving in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle and a drawing of the Madonna and Child in Florence's Gabinetto dei Disegni e delle Stampe, highlighting his meticulous creative process.

Originally commissioned for the church of Santo Stefano (now the Duomo) in Casalmaggiore, the painting remained in situ for over a century before being relocated to the Galleria Estense in Modena in 1647, as part of a strategic exchange during Francesco I d'Este's occupation. It was later acquired by the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister from the Este collection in 1746.

The painting's creation and early history reflect the complex interplay of artistic patronage and political maneuvering in 16th-century Italy, with the work changing hands in response to both artistic appeal and strategic alliances, notably influenced by visits from collectors' intermediaries like Palmerio Celestani.