The artwork titled “Virgin and Child with the Infant St. John the Baptist” was created by Sandro Botticelli between 1490 and 1500. This piece, rendered in tempera, belongs to the Early Renaissance art movement and measures 74 x 74 cm. It is a religious painting currently housed in the Museo de Arte de Sao Paulo (MASP) in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The artwork depicts serene and tender interactions between three figures central to Christian iconography: the Virgin Mary, the Child Jesus, and the Infant St. John the Baptist. The Virgin Mary is seated, lovingly cradling the Child Jesus in her arms, her expression calm and exuding maternal warmth. The Infant St. John the Baptist, clad in a traditional garment, stands with his hands in a gesture of prayer, gazing towards the Mother and Child. The background features a gentle, idyllic landscape with sparse trees and a serene sky, encapsulating the tranquility and reverence typical of Botticelli’s religious compositions. The round composition adds a harmonious and intimate quality to the scene.
