Who painted Virgin and Child with young st. John?

Virgin and Child with young st. John was painted by Sandro Botticelli in 1487.

Where can I see Virgin and Child with young st. John?

Virgin and Child with young st. John is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Virgin and Child with young st. John?

Virgin and Child with young st. John is associated with Early Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Virgin and Child with young st. John?

Museum-quality prints of Virgin and Child with young st. John are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Virgin and Child with young st. John

Sandro Botticelli , 1487

Virgin and Child with young st. John is a paint painting by the Early Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. It dates from 1487 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1487, this tempera painting by Sandro Botticelli portrays the Virgin Mary seated with the infant Christ on her lap, accompanied by a youthful Saint John the Baptist. The work is part of the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin and exemplifies the artist’s late‑career focus on intimate devotional scenes.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents Mary in a serene, contemplative pose, holding the newborn Jesus, while a small John reaches toward her, symbolizing his future role as the forerunner of Christ. The gentle interaction among the three figures underscores themes of familial affection and the theological connection between the infant Savior and his future baptizer.

Technique & Style

Botticelli employs delicate modeling of flesh and subtle chiaroscuro to give the figures a three‑dimensional presence against a muted landscape background. The Virgin’s dark, flowing dress is cinched with a simple belt, and her loose hair frames a calm visage, while the infant’s soft, round face and the boy’s curly hair are rendered with fine brushwork that highlights texture and light.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the Berlin Gemäldegalerie’s holdings in the early 20th century, having previously been part of private collections in Italy. Its attribution to Botticelli has been confirmed through stylistic analysis and documentation linking the work to the artist’s workshop during the late 1480s.

Context

Executed during a period when Botticelli was responding to the devotional demands of Florentine patrons, the work reflects the shift from grand narrative cycles to more intimate, private religious imagery. The inclusion of the young Saint John aligns with contemporary iconography that emphasized his early connection to the Christ child.