Virgin and Child with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Paul

Art Historical Context

Paolo Farinati (1524–1606), a Veronese artist of the late Renaissance, crafted this intimate drawing of the *Virgin and Child with Saint John the and Saint Paul* using pen and brown ink, brush and wash over traces of black chalk on prepared paper. This devotional scene captures a tender moment in sacred iconography: the Madonna cradling the Child, flanked by the young Saint John the Baptist—often symbolized with a lamb—and the scholarly Saint Paul. Farinati's work reflects the Mannerist tendencies of his Veronese circle, blending Venetian coloristic warmth with precise draftsmanship. The blue paper, a favored ground in Renaissance workshops, enhances the luminous effects of the brown wash, creating subtle tonal modeling and depth in this 16⅛ × 10⅞-inch sheet. Such preparatory drawings were vital for artists like Farinati, who produced them as studies for paintings or altarpieces, showcasing his skill in composing multi-figure groups with graceful poses and expressive gestures. The inclusion of animals, likely a lamb near John, adds a layer of symbolism tied to innocence and sacrifice. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1962, this piece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection highlights the enduring cultural reverence for the Madonna and Child theme, central to Counter-Reformation piety and Italian art. Visitors will appreciate its delicate technique, bridging studio practice and spiritual devotion.

About the Artist

Paolo Farinati · 1524–1606

Italian painter and engraver. Comment on works: Religious