Items Similar to The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John, 20th Century British Oil on Canvas
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8
UnknownThe Virgin and Child with the Infant St John, 20th Century British Oil on Canvas
$5,328.53
£3,900
€4,580.56
CA$7,402.93
A$7,962.91
CHF 4,255.61
MX$93,860.04
NOK 53,653.28
SEK 49,049.28
DKK 34,224.52
About the Item
British School
20th Century
The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John
Oil on canvas, stamped verso ESK
Image size: 11 x 11 inches
Hand made frame
This painting is an accomplished portrayal of Michelangelo’s sculpture The Virgin and Child with the Infant Saint John, also known as the Taddei Tondo.
Dating from the 1920s, the painting is a fine example of trompe l’oeil, or trick of the eye. The artist has used realistic imagery to create an optical illusion of depth. The image is a faithful depiction of Michelangelo’s marble sculpture, which today can be found in the Royal Academy galleries. Sadly we do not know the identity of the artist, but the ESK blind stamp indicates that this is a student work exhibited at the South Kensington Museum as part of an examination. Amongst the tasks set for the students in the Art Schools was an exercise in faithfully copying the work of a well-known artist.
At the left side of the painting stands the infant figure of St. John the Baptist, with his attribute of a baptismal bowl. He presents what appears to be a goldfinch (representing the Passion) to the infant Christ, who momentarily turns away, towards his mother, symbolically anticipating his future destiny.
Michelangelo is believed to have executed his sculpture in 1504/5, whilst he was working in Florence. It is one of several unfinished sculptural works by Michelangelo, probably because he was over-committed to too many other projects. Vasari suggested that he did not complete certain compositions out of creative frustration, an idea which has given rise to the notion of the artist as troubled genius.
- Dimensions:Height: 11 in (27.94 cm)Width: 11 in (27.94 cm)
- Medium:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5248322082
About the Seller
5.0
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2007
1stDibs seller since 2014
87 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 2 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: London, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllSculpture Gallery with Madonna and Child
Located in London, GB
Leighton Hall Woollatt
Sculpture Gallery with Madonna and Child
1905 - 1974
Oil on canvas, signed, titled 'Painting of a Antique Cast' from the Royal Academy Schools and dated '28 Ju...
Category
20th Century Still-life Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Conestabile Madonna Old Master Renaissance
By (after) Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino)
Located in London, GB
After Raphael
Conestabile Madonna
1483 - 1520
Oil on poplar panel
Image size: 8 x 8 inches (20.5 x 20.5 cm)
Original ornate hand carved gilt frame
Conestabile Madonna
Made in compos...
Category
16th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Figurine, 20th Century Oil on Board Signed Painting, Contemporary Frame
Located in London, GB
Mayer
20th Century
Figurine
Oil on board, signed lower right
Image size: 16 x 13 inches
Contemporary frame
Category
20th Century Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
A decorative oval relief with Venus and Cupid, 18th Century Rococo Oil
By Jacob De Wit
Located in London, GB
Follower of Jacob de Wit
1695-1754
Venus and Cupid
Oil on panel
Image size: 7 ¾ inches x 11 ¾ inches
Gilt frame
A charming example of trompe-l'œil,...
Category
18th Century Rococo Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Panel
The Virgin and Child Enthroned
Located in London, GB
Studio of Adriaen Isenbrandt
1510 - 1551
The Virgin and Child Enthroned
Oil on oak panel, wax seal verso
Image size: 10 3/4 x 8 inches (27 x 20.5 cm)
Contemporary style frame (image below)
POA
Provenance
Collection of Mrs Marianne Hudson
Mary, holding Jesus in her arms, is centrally positioned against a gold detailed architectural backdrop, reflecting the traditional iconography of the enthroned Virgin and Child. This composition suggests the theme of “Maestà” or “Majesty,” emphasising the figures religious significance.
In the painting from the studio of Adriaen Isenbrandt, the artist masterfully infuses the scene with rich symbolism and hidden meanings that reflect the cultural and religious context of the period. The infant Christ, seated on the Virgin Mary’s lap, is draped in a delicate, translucent white garment that symbolises his purity. In his hand, he clutches a piece of coral, a multifaceted symbol representing immortality, youth, and health. Notably, coral was also a common teething tool during that era, adding another layer of contemporary relevance.
A scarlet-headed blackbird, native to South America, perches gracefully on Christ’s outstretched finger. This bird is a potent symbol of creation and protection, enhancing the divine narrative of the scene. Mary, with a tender and loving gesture, caresses Christ’s back while gazing adoringly at her son, underscoring her role as the nurturing mother of God.
Mary is centrally positioned within an architectural alcove, which subtly suggests a heavenly halo without explicitly depicting one. The alcove’s niches, traditionally used to emphasise the importance of sculptures, further highlight her significance. She is adorned in a voluminous red gown, with the undulating folds of the fabric accentuated by white highlights. The red colour of her dress symbolises maternal qualities, while the iridescent blue undercoat, visible in certain areas, signifies sanctity and purity due to its rarity and expense at the time.
Moreover, Mary is depicted as the epitome of contemporary Medieval...
Category
16th Century Dutch School Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil, Wood Panel
The Holy Family, 16th Century Venetian School, Oil on Canvas, Hand Carved Frame
Located in London, GB
Oil on canvas
Image size: 26 x 37 inches (66 x 94 cm)
Period hand carved gilt frame
The pictorial arrangement of the Holy Family, with various saints in a landscape, was very popular in sixteenth-century Venice, following the prototype of Giovanni Bellini. Possibly intended for private devotion, this picture is a representative example of the compositional type known as the sacra conversazione...
Category
16th Century Figurative Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
You May Also Like
Anton Rausch, Madonna with Child, Oil on Canvas
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Rausch, Anton, Madonna with Child, oil on canvas.
Signed lower left in the picture. Undated.
Depiction of the Virgin Mary seated with the infant Jesus on her lap in a wide, hill...
Category
Early 20th Century German Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint
19th Century Original Oil on Canvas Painting of Madonna and Child
Located in Round Top, TX
Striking original oil on canvas painting of Madonna and child with the infant Saint John the Baptist. Unsigned.
After the original by Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) dated ca....
Category
Antique 19th Century Italian Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Early 17th Century Tuscan School Oil Painting on Canvas
Virgin and Child
Located in NICE, FR
We present you this magnificent oil painting on canvas endearingly the Virgin Mary gently caressing the head of Christ Child asleep on his Mother's lap. This artwork has been expertly fit with new canvas and encased in an exquisite gilded wooden frame. It is representative of the Tuscan School...
Category
Antique Early 17th Century Italian Baroque Paintings
Materials
Canvas
Madonna and Child- Italian Old Master religious art portrait oil painting
Located in Hagley, England
This superb Italian Old Master religious portrait oil painting is attributed to circle of Bartolomeo Schedoni. Painted circa 1700 it is a half l...
Category
Early 1700s Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Materials
Oil
Madonna and Child 1800
s English Oil on Canvas with Circular Composition
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Madonna and Child
English Old Master, c. 1800
oil on canvas, unframed (relined canvas)
Canvas: 14.5 x 12 inches
Provenance: private collection, UK
Condition: very good condition
De...
Category
Early 19th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Mid-20th Century Oil Painting - Jean d
Esparbès - Oil on Canvas - Maternity
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Beautiful and sensitively rendered oil on canvas by the French painter Jean d'Esparbès.
Executed circa 1950–1960, this captivating work portrays a young woman gently holding a doll i...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Paint













