Open full image Pin

The Madonna of the Rosary

Giovanni Battista Crespi

1620

oil

canvas

From the collection of Pinacoteca di Brera

Early Baroque Italian Baroque Religious

Dominant colour

The Madonna of the Rosary is a 1620 oil by Giovanni Battista Crespi, a Early Baroque Italian work, held at Pinacoteca di Brera.

Who painted this?: Giovanni Battista Crespi
When & what style?: 1620 · Early Baroque Italian
Where can I see it?: Pinacoteca di Brera

About this work

This painting, "The Madonna of the Rosary," shows a serene scene with the Madonna and Child at its center. The Madonna is dressed in white, while the Child is naked, and they are surrounded by other figures, including angels and saints. The colors are muted, with shades of brown, red, and white dominating the palette. In the foreground, a man in a black robe is shown kneeling and holding a rosary, while another figure in white is depicted holding a flower. The background is dark, which helps to focus attention on the central figures. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume in the painting. To learn more about the artist's technique, look up chiaroscuro.