Skip to main content

Filippo Mazzola, 'The Virgin and Child with Saints', after 1494-1505

About the work

Overview

The Virgin with the Christ Child on her lap is flanked by two saints. On the left is an old bearded man, possibly Saint Jerome; he wears a ragged white robe tied around his waist with a belt made of a twisted olive branch. On the right is a younger man in the grey habit of an observant Franciscan, an austere branch of the religious order founded by Saint Francis. This is Blessed Bernardino da Feltre, a popular preacher. Instead of a full halo, a series of golden rays emanate from his head: he was not formally made a saint until 1653.

The artist, Filippo Mazzola, signed his name along the parapet behind which the holy figures stand. Although not a great painter himself, Mazzola was the father of one: Parmigianino.

Key facts

Details

Full title
The Virgin and Child with Saint Jerome and the Blessed Bernardino da Feltre
Artist dates
active 1490; died 1505
Date made
after 1494-1505
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
55.9 × 74.3 cm
Inscription summary
Signed
Acquisition credit
Bought, 1894
Inventory number
NG1416
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection
Previous owners

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

Images