Artwork

Virgin and Child between Sts. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist

Virgin and Child between Sts. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1496 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin. The work entitled Virgin and Child between Sts.

About this work

Overview

John the Baptist and John the Evangelist is a religious painting created in 1492 by the Master of the Noli me tangere.

Virgin and Child between Sts. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist is a religious painting created in 1492 by the Master of the Noli me tangere. The artwork depicts the Madonna and Child flanked by two saints and belongs to the genre of sacred conversation. It is currently held in the Gemäldegalerie Berlin, located in the Bode Museum. The painting is notable for its brilliant gold leaf background, rich saturated colors, and the careful modeling of its figures, which anchor it firmly in the late fifteenth-century devotional tradition.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a crowned Virgin Mary holding the nude Christ Child, flanked by the two titular saints. To the left stands a bearded Saint John the Baptist, wearing a red robe and carrying a book that supports a lamb, a reference to his declaration 'Behold the Lamb of God'. A small flag with a cross and ribbon is visible behind the lamb, reinforcing his role as the prophet who announced Christ's arrival. To the right is a younger Saint John the Evangelist, draped in a white cloak over a red garment, holding a golden chalice and gesturing toward the central pair. The chalice is his traditional attribute, referring to the legend where he blessed a poisoned chalice and survived unharmed, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. The pairing of these specific saints often reflects the personal devotions of the original patron.

History & Provenance

The painting dates to 1492 and is attributed to the anonymous artist known as the Master of the Noli me tangere. While the specific commission and early ownership records for this panel are not documented in the available sources, the work eventually entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin, where it is housed in the Bode Museum. Its presence in a major public collection ensures its ongoing study and accessibility.