Artwork
Virgin and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist
Virgin and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Jacopo Bassano. It dates from 1562 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child with the young Saint John the Baptist standing beside them, a composition described as a Madonna and Child with the infant John. As a religious work, it presents this holy family grouping within the genre of devotional imagery.
History & Provenance
Created in 1562, the work is executed in oil paint on canvas and depicts the Virgin Mary, the Christ Child, and the young Saint John the Baptist.
The painting Virgin and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist was created by Jacopo Bassano in 1562. Executed in oil on canvas, the work depicts the Madonna and Child alongside the young Saint John the Baptist within a religious context. Currently, the artwork is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
The specific commission details and the full chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the museum are not detailed in the provided records.
The painting Virgin and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist by Jacopo Bassano is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Created in 1562, the work is executed in oil paint on canvas and depicts the Virgin Mary, the Christ Child, and the young Saint John the Baptist. While the specific inventory or accession number is not provided in the available records, the museum maintains the piece as part of its permanent holdings of religious art. No exhibition history is documented in the current sources.
Legacy
The painting has been part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection since its acquisition, where it is displayed as a notable example of Bassano's mature religious output. Art historical assessments highlight its influence on later Venetian painters who adopted Bassano's intimate treatment of sacred figures and naturalistic detail. The work continues to be referenced in studies of family devotion in Counter-Reformation art and is frequently included in exhibitions examining 16th-century Venetian workshop practices.
Overview
Jacopo Bassano’s 1562 oil painting, titled Virgin and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist, presents a quiet devotional scene. The work is part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago and measures a modest size, allowing close viewing of its intimate figures and subtle atmospheric effects.
Technique & Style
Bassano employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, using a dark, smoky backdrop to heighten the luminous skin tones of the children. The contrast between the deep shadows and the soft illumination creates a three‑dimensional presence, while the delicate rendering of fabrics and the white veil over Mary’s head demonstrate the artist’s skill in oil painting.
Context
Created during the Counter‑Reformation, the work reflects the period’s emphasis on clear, emotionally resonant religious imagery. Bassano, known for integrating naturalistic detail with devotional subjects, situates the holy figures within a modest interior, aligning with contemporary calls for accessible, contemplative art that could inspire personal piety.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jacopo Bassano was an Italian Renaissance painter of the Venetian school. He was born and died in Bassano del Grappa, and took the village as his surname. Having trained in the workshop of his father, Francesco the…
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