Virgin and Child with Saint Elizabeth and the Infant Saint John the Baptist
1628
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
1628
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
This painting shows a tender moment between the Virgin Mary and her child, Jesus. They are surrounded by Saint Elizabeth and the infant Saint John the Baptist. The scene is set in a landscape with rolling hills and a cloudy sky. The figures are dressed in flowing robes, with Mary wearing a red cloak and a white head covering. The infants are naked, and Saint Elizabeth is shown with a gentle expression. The painting is rendered in oil paint, with a focus on the play of light and shadow on the figures' faces and clothing. The overall mood is one of serenity and devotion. The artist, Jacques Blanchard, was a French painter known for his use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth.
