Orazio Farinat
The Madonna and Child with St John the Baptist
Verona, about 1583
Etching
Paper: 248 x 223 mm; mount: 557 x 403 mm
This popular devotional grouping of the Madonna and the infant Jesus and St John the Baptist is intended to depict the cousins’ reunion in Egypt, after John was carried to join Jesus by an angel. John bears fruit to illustrate his devotion and the lamb, another symbol of Christ, is positioned near the Madonna. Farinati was a Veronese painter, but also an active engraver after the works of other artists, including those of his father, Paolo.
Purchased 1962 (No. 62.4)