Artwork
Visitation (Meeting of Mary and Elizabeth in the Presence of Saints Joseph and Jerome)
Visitation (Meeting of Mary and Elizabeth in the Presence of Saints Joseph and Jerome) is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Pellegrini Tiballdi. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1550 by the Italian artist Pellegrino Tibaldi, this oil painting portrays the biblical Visitation, where the Virgin Mary meets her cousin Elizabeth. The composition also incorporates Saint Joseph and Saint Jerome, situating the encounter within a richly detailed interior. The work belongs to the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Subject & Meaning
The central focus is the interaction between Mary, dressed in a red‑and‑white garment, and Elizabeth, clothed in a yellow robe and holding a book, symbolizing the shared revelation of their unborn children. Flanking them are figures identified as Saint Joseph and Saint Jerome, whose presence underscores themes of lineage and scholarly devotion within the Christian narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting displays the hallmarks of late‑Renaissance Mannerism: elongated forms, complex spatial arrangement, and a palette dominated by earthy browns, reds, and yellows punctuated by brighter accents. Light falls selectively on faces, enhancing the emotional intensity and drawing attention to the central figures.
History & Provenance
After its creation, the painting entered various private collections before being acquired by the Rijksmuseum, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s holdings of Italian Mannerist art. Its attribution to Tibaldi has been confirmed through stylistic analysis and archival documentation.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pellegrino Tibaldi (1527 – 27 May 1596), also known as Pellegrino di Tibaldo de Pellegrini, was an Italian mannerist architect, sculptor, and mural painter.
