Who painted Madonna with the Child, Saint Catherine and Saint John?

Madonna with the Child, Saint Catherine and Saint John was painted by Pietro da Cortona in 1615.

Where can I see Madonna with the Child, Saint Catherine and Saint John?

Madonna with the Child, Saint Catherine and Saint John is held by Capitoline Museums.

What movement is Madonna with the Child, Saint Catherine and Saint John?

Madonna with the Child, Saint Catherine and Saint John is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of Madonna with the Child, Saint Catherine and Saint John?

Museum-quality prints of Madonna with the Child, Saint Catherine and Saint John are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Madonna with the Child, Saint Catherine and Saint John

Pietro da Cortona , 1615

Madonna with the Child, Saint Catherine and Saint John is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Pietro da Cortona. It dates from 1615 and is held in the collection of the Capitoline Museums.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1615, this oil painting by Pietro da Cortona presents a quiet devotional grouping: the Virgin seated with the infant Christ, flanked by Saint Catherine of Alexandria and the youthful Saint John the Baptist. The composition is housed in Rome’s Capitoline Museums, where it exemplifies the early Baroque interest in intimate, spiritually focused scenes.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure of Mary holds the newborn Jesus, embodying maternal tenderness, while the two saints stand as intercessors. Saint Catherine, traditionally associated with learned piety, and the child John, a precursor to Christ, reinforce themes of wisdom and prophetic anticipation, inviting contemplation of the divine lineage and its earthly witnesses.

Technique & Style

Cortona employs pronounced chiaroscuro, setting the figures against a deep, muted backdrop that heightens the luminous blues of the Madonna’s garment and the pallor of the infant. This contrast creates a sculptural sense of volume and draws the eye to the central trio, while the restrained palette underscores a serene, reverent atmosphere.

History & Provenance

The work entered the Capitoline Museums’ collection, where it remains on display. Its provenance reflects the artist’s prominence in Roman Baroque circles, alongside contemporaries such as Bernini, and illustrates Cortona’s versatility beyond his celebrated frescoes and architectural projects.