Description:

Old Master, oil on canvas, 17th–18th century.

Religious composition depicting the Virgin Mary seated with the Christ Child, accompanied by the infant Saint John the Baptist holding a reed cross. Executed in oil on canvas in the restrained palette and softly modelled manner characteristic of the late Baroque period. Apparently unsigned.

Material: Oil on canvas.
Dimensions: Visual size 76 × 126 cm.
Period: 17th–18th century.
Condition: Presents with age-related patina and expected wear consistent with its age.

Bio:
Religious depictions of the Madonna and Child were among the most enduring subjects in European painting from the Renaissance through the Baroque era. Produced for both churches and private devotion, these works combined spiritual symbolism with refined painterly techniques. Artists working in the Italian, Flemish, and Spanish traditions favoured balanced compositions, subtle chiaroscuro, and symbolic attributes—such as the young Saint John the Baptist's reed cross—to foreshadow the Passion of Christ. Such paintings remain valued for their historical significance, devotional character, and enduring artistic craftsmanship.