about 1540, Artist: Agnolo di Cosimo, gen. Bronzino
The Boy John occupies the prime position. Looks and gestures point to the child Jesus who is presented frontally to the viewer. Standing behind them is Mary, caressing her son lovingly. The composition is extended by Anna and Joseph. Bronzino enhances the sharply contoured and sculpture-like depiction to a stone-like coldness, encompassing particularly the two boys; this may well be an instance of the competition thought to exist between painting and sculpture that was debated time and again in the art theory of the period.
Painting
Italian, middle Italian
about 1540
Agnolo di Cosimo, gen. Bronzino (1503 Monticelli bei Florenz - 1572 Florenz) - GND
Poplar wood
126,8 cm × 101,5 cm × 5,8 cm
Framed: 148,5 cm × 123,5 cm × 13,6 cm
Inscribed on the stone under the left foot of the Child Jesus: BROZINO FIORETINO
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Gemäldegalerie
Gemäldegalerie, 183
Grand Ducal sisters, Florence; 1792 by exchange from Florence to Vienna
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