Who painted Madonna of the Cat?

Madonna of the Cat was painted by Federico Barocci in 1590-01-01.

Where can I see Madonna of the Cat?

Madonna of the Cat is held by Uffizi Gallery.

What movement is Madonna of the Cat?

Madonna of the Cat is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of Madonna of the Cat?

Museum-quality prints of Madonna of the Cat are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Madonna of the Cat

Federico Barocci , 1596

Madonna of the Cat is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Federico Barocci. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The setting incorporates the Palazzo Ducale, grounding the divine figures in a specific architectural context.

Federico Barocci's 1590 painting, Madonna of the Cat, is a religious work depicting the Holy Family alongside the infant John the Baptist and his parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth. The composition includes a cat, which serves as a distinct visual element within the sacred gathering. The setting incorporates the Palazzo Ducale, grounding the divine figures in a specific architectural context.

This arrangement of figures and objects creates a complex scene that integrates traditional religious iconography with specific contemporary or local references.

History & Provenance

Federico Barocci created the oil-on-canvas painting known as the Madonna of the Cat in 1590. The work depicts the Holy Family alongside John the Baptist, Zechariah, and Elizabeth, with a cat included among the figures. It measures 233 cm in height and 179 cm in width. The painting is currently held in the Galleria Palatina at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

Madonna of the Cat, painted by Federico Barocci in 1590, is housed in the Galleria Palatina at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, with inventory recorded under the Galleria Palatina collection. The work has been part of exhibitions at the Uffizi, including a 2019 display of Barocci's religious paintings, and was featured in the 2020 exhibition 'Barocci: Brilliance and Grace' at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

Overview

Madonna of the Cat, painted in 1596 by Federico Barocci, is an oil painting from the early Baroque period in Italy. It depicts a serene indoor religious scene featuring the Virgin Mary, the Christ Child, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, and Joseph.

Technique & Style

Barocci employs chiaroscuro to create soft, three-dimensional shadows, enhancing the depth and serenity of the scene. The warm, indoor setting and the subtle play of light on figures reflect his characteristic style, which would later influence artists such as Rubens.

Context

Created during the early Baroque period, the painting blends elements of Renaissance harmony with the emerging expressive qualities of Baroque. The background detail of a landscape painting on the wall adds a layer of artistic self-awareness.

Legacy

Madonna of the Cat contributed to Barocci’s influence on subsequent artists, notably Peter Paul Rubens, demonstrating the reach of his stylistic innovations in European painting.

Adoration of the Shepherds, Jacopo Tintoretto

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Artist & collection

Artist

Federico Barocci

Federico Barocci (also written Barozzi) (c. 1535 – 30 September 1612) was an Italian Renaissance painter and printmaker. His original name was Federico Fiori, and he was nicknamed Il Baroccio. His work was highly…