Virgin Mary with Child Jesus
Bernardino Luini·c. 1507
Historical Context
Virgin Mary with Child Jesus from around 1507 by Bernardino Luini is an early devotional panel showing the developing influence of Leonardo da Vinci on the young painter's style. The Madonna and Child format would remain the most common subject in Luini's output throughout his career The Virgin Mary occupied a central place in late medieval and Renaissance piety, venerated as intercessor and Queen of Heaven, her image produced in countless devotional objects for public and private use.
Technical Analysis
The early panel shows Luini absorbing Leonardo's sfumato technique, with the Madonna's features beginning to display the idealized softness of his mature devotional style.
