Tomb Surmounted by the Madonna and Child in an Oval Wreath

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, *Tomb Surmounted by the Madonna and Child in an Oval Wreath* is a delicate etching attributed to Angiolo Falconetto after designs by the Mannerist master Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola). Created in the 16th century—though the exact date remains unknown—this print captures a sacred scene: a tomb adorned with animals and crowned by the Madonna tenderly holding the Christ Child within an elegant oval wreath. The composition blends devotional piety with Renaissance symbolism, where tombs evoke mortality and resurrection, while the Madonna and Child embody divine hope. Parmigianino, renowned for his graceful, elongated figures and innovative compositions during the Mannerist era (c. 1520–1600), influenced this work's refined style. Etching, a relatively new technique at the time involving acid-bitten metal plates, allowed artists like Falconetto to reproduce intricate details with unprecedented precision, making high-art imagery accessible beyond elite patrons. This medium marked a shift toward printmaking as a vehicle for spreading religious iconography during the Counter-Reformation. Acquired through the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1927, the print highlights the Met's commitment to preserving Renaissance prints. Visitors are drawn to its intimate scale and poignant fusion of life, death, and eternity—perfect for quiet reflection on faith's enduring visual language.