1493
oil
panel
From the collection of Ashmolean Museum
Dominant colour
The Virgin and Child with the young St John the Baptist is a 1493 oil by Francesco Francia, a High Renaissance work, held at Ashmolean Museum.
This painting depicts the Virgin Mary holding a naked baby Jesus, with a young John the Baptist beside them. The Virgin Mary wears a dark robe and a head covering, while the baby Jesus is unclothed. The young John the Baptist is dressed in a tunic. The background of the painting is a landscape with trees and hills. The overall mood of the painting is serene and peaceful. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume in the figures, drawing the viewer's attention to the central scene. You might want to learn more about the artist, Francesco Francia.
Francesco Francia, whose real name was Francesco Raibolini (1447 – 5 January 1517), was an Italian painter, goldsmith, and medallist from Bologna, who was also director of the city mint.
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