Artwork
Virgin and Child Adored by the Infant St John
Virgin and Child Adored by the Infant St John is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1512 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Created in 1512 by Lucas Cranach the Elder, the work presents the three figures in a composition where the infant Saint John is shown adoring the Christ Child.
The painting depicts a religious scene centered on the Madonna and Child, specifically illustrating the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child and the infant Saint John the Baptist. Created in 1512 by Lucas Cranach the Elder, the work presents the three figures in a composition where the infant Saint John is shown adoring the Christ Child. This arrangement highlights the theological recognition of Jesus's divinity by his cousin from an early age.
As a piece of religious art, the subject matter focuses on the intimate interaction between the holy figures, emphasizing themes of devotion and the sanctity of the Christ Child.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, measuring 36.5 cm by 27.5 cm. It depicts the Virgin and Child with the infant Saint John, rendered with the soft modeling and rich coloration characteristic of Lucas Cranach the Elder's mature style. The composition emphasizes a tender interaction among the figures, while the flattened spatial depth and intricate outlines reflect the influence of late Gothic conventions blended with emerging Renaissance naturalism.
History & Provenance
The painting is dated 1512 and was executed by Lucas Cranach the Elder in oil on panel. Measuring 36.5 cm high and 27.5 cm wide, it belongs to the religious genre and depicts the Virgin and Child adored by the infant Saint John. The work is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen as part of its permanent holdings. No specific accession number, earlier provenance, or exhibition history is provided in the available sources.
Overview
Created in 1512, this oil on panel by Lucas Cranach the Elder portrays a tender family scene central to Christian iconography. The work is part of the collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display as an example of early 16th‑century devotional painting.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
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