Artwork

Allegory of Salvation with the Virgin and Christ Child, St. Elizabeth, the Young St. John the Baptist and Two Angels

Allegory of Salvation with the Virgin and Christ Child, St. Elizabeth, the Young St. John the Baptist and Two Angels is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Rosso Fiorentino. It dates from 1522 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work is part of the collection at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Created in 1522, this oil painting by Rosso Fiorentino brings together the Virgin Mary, the infant Christ, Saint Elizabeth, a youthful John the Baptist, and two attendant angels. The composition is anchored by a central figure in a golden‑yellow robe cradling the naked Christ, while the surrounding characters are arranged in a semi‑circular grouping that emphasizes their relational ties. The work is part of the collection at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents an allegorical interpretation of salvation, uniting key figures from the Nativity and the early life of John the Baptist. Mary’s protective hold of the Christ Child underscores maternal intercession, while Elizabeth’s kneeling gesture toward the infant reflects biblical recognition of Christ’s divine mission. The solitary, naked child on the left and the winged infants behind the Virgin evoke the presence of the Holy Spirit and the prophetic role of John.

Technique & Style

Fiorentino employs a warm palette of soft golds, ochres, and muted reds, allowing the figures to emerge from a flat, earth‑toned background. Subtle chiaroscuro creates an inner glow that models faces and hands, giving them a three‑dimensional presence. Impasto is evident in the textured folds of the robes and the delicate feathering of the angels’ wings, adding tactile depth to the otherwise smooth surface.

History & Provenance

The painting was executed shortly after Fiorentino’s return to Florence from his brief tenure in France, a period marked by his exploration of complex religious narratives. It entered the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s holdings in the mid‑20th century through a private donation, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s Italian Renaissance collection.

Context

Rosso Fiorentino, a leading figure of the Florentine Mannerist movement, often infused his religious works with dramatic gestures and unconventional compositions. This allegory reflects his interest in merging devotional content with a heightened emotional atmosphere, a hallmark of early 16th‑century artistic experimentation that sought to move beyond the balanced harmony of the High Renaissance.