After Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Madonna of the Rocks c.1508-1600
Oil on panel | 47.2 x 33.8 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external) | RCIN 404668
-
The Virgin, kneeling to the left of centre, introduces the child-Baptist from the left to Christ, seated facing left and blessing the Baptist; the Christ Child is supported by an angel to the right. The background is a mountainous landscape, and at the right Saint Joseph can be seen riding a donkey.
The model for this painting is Leonardo da Vinci's Madonna of the Rocks (National Gallery, London), which was once the centre of an elaborate altarpiece in the Chapel of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception in San Francesco, Milan. This copy is interesting as it testifies to the early existence of the Baptist's cross (which has been doubted as Leonardo's) and with the action of the added Saint Joseph it demonstrates that the subject of Leonardo's picture was taken, soon after it was painted, to be an incident on the journey to or from Egypt.
Inscribed: 'ECCE AGN[VS] DEI', on a scroll in the Baptist's handsProvenance
Acquired by Queen Victoria through Ludwig Gruner from Mr Metzger in Florence in 1847; given to Prince Albert for his birthday, 26th August 1847; recorded in the Prince's Writing Room at Osborne House in 1876 (no 127) as Cesare da Sesto, the landscape by Bernazzana, and visible in James Roberts's watercolour of 1851 (RCIN 926224).
-
Creator(s)
(nationality)Acquirer(s)
-
Medium and techniques
Oil on panel
Measurements
47.2 x 33.8 cm (support, canvas/panel/stretcher external)
67.0 x 53.6 x 7.5 cm (frame, external)
Category
Object type(s)
Subject(s)
