Madonna and Child

This Madonna and Child dates to around 1524, from Parmigianino's early period in Parma before his journey to Rome. The work was created for the Palazzetto Eucherio Sanvitale, a small palace decorated by several leading Parma artists. The Sanvitale family were important patrons who supported Parmigianino's early career alongside that of Correggio. Characteristic of the artist's mature approach, the work displays extreme elongation of figures achieving serpentine elegance, delicate silvery palette, compressed spatial arrangements, a technical perfectionism that sometimes borders on obsession.

The intimate devotional image shows Parmigianino's developing mastery of the Madonna type, with gentle sfumato modeling and warm, harmonious colors. The tender interaction between mother and child reveals emotional sensitivity combined with formal refinement.