Artwork
Madonna and Child with St. John
Madonna and Child with St. John is an unspecified painting by the High Renaissance artist Andrea del Brescianino. It dates from 1515 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Madonna and Child with St.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a religious scene centered on the Madonna and Child, featuring the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child as the main subjects.
The painting depicts a religious scene centered on the Madonna and Child, featuring the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child as the main subjects. The composition also includes St. John, completing the traditional trio often found in devotional art of this genre. As a work of religious art, the piece serves to represent the sacred relationship between the mother and son, emphasizing themes central to Christian iconography.
The inclusion of St. John suggests a narrative context often associated with the childhood of Jesus or the future role of the Baptist.
History & Provenance
The painting Madonna and Child with St. John by Andrea del Brescianino entered the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) in 1927 through the Founders Society purchase fund, becoming part of the museum’s permanent holdings.
Its early commission and provenance prior to the 20th century are not documented in the provided sources. The work is catalogued as a religious painting by Andrea del Brescianino, attributed to the early 16th century based on stylistic analysis, though no specific commissioning patron or original location is recorded in the cited references.
The painting Madonna and Child with St. John by Andrea del Brescianino is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit. The work is classified as a religious painting depicting the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child. While the artwork is confirmed to be part of the museum's holdings, the provided records do not specify a unique inventory or accession number, nor do they list any past or current exhibitions for this piece.
Overview
Madonna and Child with St. John is a High Renaissance religious painting created by Italian artist Andrea del Brescianino around 1515. It is now part of the Detroit Institute of Arts collection.
Technique & Style
The work employs chiaroscuro, evident in the soft shadows on the figures' faces and the folds of their clothing, which creates a sense of realism and three-dimensionality against a plain, dark background.
Context
Produced in the early 16th century, the painting reflects the artistic and religious themes prevalent during the High Renaissance, characterized by realistic and emotionally nuanced depictions of religious subjects.
Legacy
While specific details on the painting's broader impact are not provided, it contributes to the understanding of Andrea del Brescianino's style and the collaborative output of the Brescianini brothers within the Sienese Renaissance art scene.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Andrea del Brescianino or Dei Piccinelli was an Italian painter of the Renaissance period, active mainly in Siena. Together with his brother Raffaello they were known as the Brescianini of Siena.
