Who painted The Virgin of the Rosary with Saint Dominic and a Monk?

The Virgin of the Rosary with Saint Dominic and a Monk was painted by Cherubino Alberti in 1570.

Where can I see The Virgin of the Rosary with Saint Dominic and a Monk?

The Virgin of the Rosary with Saint Dominic and a Monk is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Virgin of the Rosary with Saint Dominic and a Monk?

The Virgin of the Rosary with Saint Dominic and a Monk is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of The Virgin of the Rosary with Saint Dominic and a Monk?

Museum-quality prints of The Virgin of the Rosary with Saint Dominic and a Monk are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Virgin of the Rosary with Saint Dominic and a Monk

Cherubino Alberti , 1570

The Virgin of the Rosary with Saint Dominic and a Monk is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Cherubino Alberti. It dates from 1570 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:recto: in plate, in image, at lower left: Privilegio Th. S D h greg pp. XIII; in plate, in image, at lower right: CAB [artist's monogram]; at top right in graphite: 8/115; at lower at left in graphite, 37 - proof; at lower right in graphite: Coronation of the Virgin Cherubino Alberti after Zucchero; at bottom left, in blue pencil: 29; verso: along bottom, in blue pencil: Alberti Cherubino Bartsch XVII h 62 no. 37 proof

About this work

Overview

Cherubino Alberti’s engraving, dated around 1570, depicts the Virgin Mary holding a rosary, flanked by Saint Dominic and a monk, with a host of cherubs, saints and monks gathered around her. Executed on laid paper, the print is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure of the Virgin Mary, shown with a rosary in her right hand, underscores the devotional focus on the rosary prayer. Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominican Order, and a monk accompany her, reflecting the work’s ties to Dominican spirituality and the promotion of Marian intercession.

Technique & Style

Alberti employs fine line work and cross‑hatching to render intricate folds in the garments and subtle modeling of faces. A cloudy backdrop and careful gradations of light and shadow give the composition a sense of three‑dimensionality, while the circular arrangement of figures creates a harmonious visual rhythm.

History & Provenance

Created in the late Renaissance, the engraving was produced for devotional use and likely circulated among Dominican patrons. It entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains accessible for study and public viewing.

Context

The print belongs to a broader tradition of Marian imagery that proliferated in post‑Council of Trent Italy, where the Church encouraged visual reinforcement of piety. Alberti’s work aligns with contemporary prints that combined detailed realism with clear theological messaging.