Artwork
Madonna and Child
Madonna and Child is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Parmigianino. It dates from 1528 and is held in the collection of the Kimbell Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1529, this work by Parmigianino portrays a mother and child in an intimate setting. Executed in oil on canvas, the composition is part of the Kimbell Art Museum’s collection in Fort Worth, Texas, where it entered the museum in 1995 after being purchased from a British estate.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a young woman, rendered with pale skin and a delicate expression, cradling a naked infant. The child gazes toward his mother, reaching toward her chest, suggesting a tender bond and the spiritual connection traditionally associated with the Madonna and Child motif.
Technique & Style
Parmigianion’s handling of light emphasizes the figures against a darkened backdrop, allowing the luminous skin tones and the gold accents of the woman’s dress and halo to stand out. The use of a red cushion and a muted green curtain adds subtle color contrast while maintaining the overall elegance of the composition.
History & Provenance
Originally part of the Kedleston collection in the United Kingdom, the painting was transferred to the United States when the Kimbell Art Museum acquired it in 1995. Its documented provenance traces back to the English estate, confirming its journey from private collection to public display.
Context
The work reflects the early 16th‑century Italian tradition of devotional imagery, where the Madonna is often depicted with a serene demeanor and a golden halo signifying sanctity. Parmigianino’s rendition aligns with the Mannerist tendency toward elongated forms and refined elegance, characteristic of his broader oeuvre.
Legacy
As an example of Parmigianino’s religious painting, the piece contributes to the understanding of his stylistic development and the diffusion of Italian Mannerism across Europe. Its presence in a major American museum allows continued scholarly study and public appreciation of the artist’s approach to sacred subjects.
Artist & collection
Artist
Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola (11 January 1503 – 24 August 1540), also known as Francesco Mazzola or, more commonly, as Parmigianino (UK: , US: , Italian: ; "the little one from Parma"), was an Italian Mannerist…
