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Probably by Vincenzo Catena, 'The Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John', about 1506-15

About the work

Overview

The Virgin looks away as the infant Christ leans forward to touch his cousin Saint John the Baptist under the chin. The presence of the infant Saint John suggests the influence of Florentine art, as he is rare in Venetian art before this date. There are several versions of this design which may date from around 1506, when Catena was in partnership with Giorgione.

An X-ray image of a painting believed to be a self portrait by Giorgione in the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum, Braunschweig, has revealed another earlier picture beneath the paint layers. It is a Virgin and Child similar in design to the National Gallery’s painting, which also includes the Christ Child’s very unusual pose and gesture. It may be that Christ’s pose was Giorgione’s idea.

The painting is very damaged, particularly down the centre of the panel. The Virgin’s blue mantle, which is painted over red underpaint, and Saint John the Baptist’s green tunic are the only parts still in reasonably good condition.

Key facts

Details

Full title
The Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist
Artist
Probably by Vincenzo Catena
Artist dates
active 1506 - 1531
Date made
about 1506-15
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
72.4 × 57.2 cm
Acquisition credit
Presented by Alfred A. de Pass, 1920
Inventory number
NG3540
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection

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.

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