The Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John

Image credit: The Henry Barber Trust, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham

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Notes

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The Virgin lowers the infant Christ to embrace his cousin, John the Baptist. Christ recognises that Saint John will pave the way for his own divine mission. The complex poses and the narrow composition create an intimate image focussed on Christ’s humanity. Sandro Botticelli ran a successful studio in Florence, producing religious and mythological scenes. Popular compositions such as this were repeated with variations by members of his studio. The quality of this work, however, suggests that Botticelli was largely responsible.
Title

The Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John

Date

1490s

Medium

tempera on canvas

Measurements

H 130.7 x W 91.4 cm

Accession number

43.10

Acquisition method

purchased, 1943

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands B15 2TS England

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