ARTWORKS

The Virgin and Child Embracing

Sassoferrato (1609–1685)

The National Gallery, London

The Virgin and Child Embracing

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Buy a print or image licence

You can purchase this reproduction

If you have any products in your basket we recommend that you complete your purchase from Art UK before you leave our site to avoid losing your purchases.

Order a print

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

The infant Christ stands on the lap of the Virgin Mary, reaching forward to give her a kiss. She turns her cheek to receive her son's embrace, supporting him as he seems to be a little unsteady on his feet. Strong lighting emphasises the smooth, pale skin of both figures as well as Christ's golden hair, though it leaves much of his face in shadow. Sassoferrato has given great attention to the folds of drapery, both in the Virgin's blue cloak and in the deep green curtain behind the two figures. Through an archway, we see Saint Joseph coming towards the house and, behind him, a view of distant mountains.This composition is based on an etching by the seventeenth-century painter Guido Reni. Sassoferrato was influenced by Reni, as well as by earlier artists such as Raphael and Perugino, both of whom adopted a similarly smooth finish.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

The Virgin and Child Embracing

Date

1660-85

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 97.2 x W 74 cm

Accession number

NG740

Acquisition method

Bought, 1864

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Learn more Tag this
Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

View venue

Artist or maker

Sassoferrato

1609–1685

View profile
  • Virgin and Child with Saint Elisabeth and Child Baptist
    Virgin and Child with Saint Elisabeth and Child Baptist Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (GMRC)
  • The Virgin and Child
    The Virgin and Child The Wallace Collection
  • The Virgin and Child
    The Virgin and Child The Wallace Collection
  • The Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine
    The Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine The Wallace Collection
  • The Madonna in Prayer
    The Madonna in Prayer Brighton and Hove Museums and Art Galleries
  • Virgin and Child with Saints Elizabeth and John the Baptist
    Virgin and Child with Saints Elizabeth and John the Baptist The Courtauld Gallery
  • Virgin in Prayer
    Virgin in Prayer The Courtauld Gallery
  • 17 more

Stories