Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Unknown
The 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

More From This Seller

View All
Sculpture 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