Italian School Artist, Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John, 1690s, Oil Painting on Canvas, Framed

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A beautiful late 17th-century oil on canvas depicting the timeless devotional subject of the Madonna and Child with the Infant … Read more A beautiful late 17th-century oil on canvas depicting the timeless devotional subject of the Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist (San Giovannino), one of the most cherished themes of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque traditions. The composition follows the elegant artistic conventions established by the great Italian masters, presenting the Virgin Mary tenderly embracing the Christ Child while the young Saint John the Baptist reverently accompanies the Holy Family. As is customary in Italian devotional painting, Saint John is portrayed as a child, often identifiable by his reed cross, symbolizing his future role as the Forerunner of Christ. Executed with a refined sense of harmony and balance, the painting displays the warm palette, soft modeling, and serene spirituality characteristic of late seventeenth-century Italian painting. The figures are rendered with graceful naturalism, conveying both maternal tenderness and profound religious symbolism, making the work equally appealing as a devotional image and as a fine example of Baroque religious art. The canvas remains in good overall conservation, preserving its pictorial quality and historical character. It is presented in a later carved and gilded wooden frame, which complements the composition while respecting its classical appearance. Large-scale Italian devotional paintings of this quality and period remain highly sought after by collectors of Old Master paintings and are equally suited to private collections, historic interiors, or institutional collections. Origin Italy Period Late 17th Century Medium Oil on Canvas Subject The Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist Frame Later Carved and Gilded Wooden Frame Dimensions Overall: 65.4 × 53.5 in (166 × 136 cm) Canvas: 56.3 × 44.5 in (143 × 113 cm) Condition Good antique condition, with wear and minor restorations consistent with age. The painting is well preserved and displays beautifully. The gilt frame is of a later date. Keywords: Florin Antiques. See less