Madonna with Child and young Saint John – National Gallery – London
Within a rounded frame,standing beyond a low gray wall, the Virgin Mary gently holds Baby Jesus naked, the plump feet resting on the parapet. The mother’s gaze gently rests on her son, while he plays with a lock of her hair: the religious subject intertwines and thus overlaps the sweet image of maternal love.
The attention of the Child is drawn to his cousin, the little Saint John the Baptist: standing in front of the balustrade, John looks back at him, holding a cross under his left arm and joining his hands to his chest as a sign of prayer.
The faces of the characters are sweet, while the bodies are illuminated by a soft frontal light: everything contributes to a calm and intimate composition.
In the background, gentle hills with thin trees and soft grass fronds fade towards the horizon thanks to skilful tonal passages, recreating the effect of aerial perspective.
The panel, dating from the late fifteenth century, is currently preserved at the National Gallery in London.
