Europe, Italy, ca. 18th to 19th century CE, An impressive painting, oil on panel, depicting the Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist. This subject was depicted by several Renaissance and Baroque masters including Correggio, Franciabigio, Antonio Guardi, Agostino Carracci, Bernardo Strozzi . . . There's even an unfinished version known as The Manchester Madonna attributed to Michelangelo in the National Gallery, London. Although no biblical account of a meeting between the infant Christ and John exists, playful depictions of this legendary encounter often appear in Renaissance as well as Baroque paintings. Renderings of the Madonna and Child that include Saint John the Baptist were inspired by a non-biblical narrative that tells of the Virgin Mary and Infant Jesus meeting Christ's cousin John the Baptist during the Holy Family's flight to Egypt.

We have just been alerted that this indeed may have been painted by a "follower of or after" Van Dyck. We do not know, so you be the judge. See last image in the listing here to see the original painting.

This composition foreshadows the cousins' relationship as adults that begins when John baptizes Christ. The scroll in Saint John the Baptist's hand is likely to be the scroll that reads Ecce Agnus Dei (Behold the Lamb of God) usually attributed to John the Baptist - and of course, there is a lamb beneath John. Here we see a near pyramidal arrangement - that stable compositional arrangement of the Renaissance - with Mary positioned at the apex and the children below, though Jesus is playfully standing upon a column, his head nearly reaching Mary's. The artist used a pleasing palette of rich jewel-toned hues in a style displaying a keen eye for line as well as more expressive brushwork. Notice the soft outlines and somewhat hazy modeling of the figures. The dramatic tenebroso (strong contrasts between dark and light) of the painting was typical of the Baroque period. A beautiful painting with figures that exude a sensuous quality and together show one another a sweet tenderness. Beyond this is the impressive gilded frame, gushing with floral ornament. Size: painting itself measures 16" L x 12.75" W (40.6 cm x 32.4 cm); framed 18.5" x 16" (47 x 40.6 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Estate of M. Reiniger, Chicago, IL

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#111576

Evidence of minor surface wear wtith areas on possible in-painting. Slight wear to the frame as shown.