Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist
Painting on canvas • Circle of or Follower of Andrea del Sarto; likely a 17th-century Italian school artist influenced by Florentine High Renaissance prototypes
Style & Movement
Baroque Classicism with strong Mannerist and High Renaissance influences
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing sfumato for facial contours and chiaroscuro for the volume of the figures and the dramatic background transitions.
Creation Period
Mid-17th Century (c. 1640-1660)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 100 x 80 cm; portrait format
Subject Description
A devotional scene depicting the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, who performs a gesture of blessing. To the left, a young Saint John the Baptist gazes upward in adoration. The composition uses a triangular arrangement typical of the Renaissance, set against a dark, atmospheric sky and landscape.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the work appears structurally sound but shows evidence of age-related wear and historical restoration.
Estimated Market Value
$8,000 - $12,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$5,000 - $8,000 USD
Provenance History
Based on style and frame, likely from a private European collection; the 19th-century gilt frame suggests a history in a formal gallery or aristocratic setting.
Art Historical Significance
Illustrates the enduring influence of the 'Andresino' style in 17th-century Italy, where artists continued to replicate and adapt the compositions of Andrea del Sarto for private devotion.
Notable Features
Distinctive elongated fingers and soft facial modeling; housed in a high-quality 19th-century carved and gilded neo-classical style frame.
Condition Issues
Visible craquelure throughout, particularly in the lead-white areas; minor paint loss at the edges; surface grime and slightly yellowed varnish; evidence of past relining.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning and varnish removal recommended to reveal original color saturation; minor infilling of craquelure; display in a climate-controlled environment with UV-filtered lighting.
Collector Notes
17th c Italian