Madonna and Child with St John
Bernardino Luini·1506
Historical Context
Madonna and Child with St John from 1506 by Bernardino Luini is an early version of the popular three-figure devotional composition. The subject, combining the Madonna with the two holy children, was derived from Leonardo's prototypes and would become one of Luini's most frequently repeated themes The Madonna and Child was the most ubiquitous devotional subject of medieval and Renaissance art, present in every church and many private homes as a focus for prayer and spiritual contemplation.
Technical Analysis
The early composition shows Luini developing his approach to the Madonna and children group, with emerging sfumato modeling and gentle expressions.
