The Virgin and Child with the young St John the Baptist
1511
oil
From the collection of Ashmolean Museum
1511
oil
From the collection of Ashmolean Museum
This painting depicts the Virgin Mary sitting with her child, Jesus, and the young Saint John the Baptist. The Virgin is dressed in a flowing robe and head covering, holding the baby Jesus in her lap. Jesus is reaching out to Saint John, who is standing beside them, holding a staff. The scene is rendered in oil paint, with the figures set against a dark background that accentuates their forms. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume in modeling three-dimensional objects and figures, adds depth to the painting. The Virgin and Child with the young St John the Baptist is held at the Ashmolean Museum.
