The artwork titled “St. Anne with Virgin and Child Christ” is a sketch and study created by Michelangelo around 1502 in Florence, Italy. Rendered with Indian ink on paper, it belongs to the High Renaissance art movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 25.4 x 16.8 cm. Currently, it resides in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, UK.
The sketch depicts St. Anne, the Virgin Mary, and the Child Christ in an intimate and tender grouping. The figures are rendered with a loose yet deliberate hand, characterized by expressive lines that capture the essence of their forms and interactions. Michelangelo’s mastery of anatomy and movement is evident, even in this preliminary study. The use of Indian ink on paper lends a delicate but dynamic quality to the composition, which highlights the figures’ spiritual and familial connection. Despite being a preparatory sketch, the artwork exudes a sense of completeness and emotional depth, typical of Michelangelo’s style during the High Renaissance period.
