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Virgin adoring the Child with the young St John the Baptist

BOTTICELLI, Alessandro (1447 - 1510), workshop of

Virgin adoring the Child with the young St John the Baptist

Media: oil on board

Size: 86.4 cm

Acquired: 1952; Bequest; Gwendoline Davies

Accession Number: NMW A 241

Collection: The Davies Sisters Collection

Mary kneels in adoration of the infant Christ. To her right, John the Baptist stands, holding his crook and a ribbon. John the Baptist is included as the forerunner of Christ linking the Old and New Testaments and as a patron Saint of Florence. The picture’s round shape – tondo - is probably derived from the shape of ‘birth trays’, painted plates traditionally presented to a mother after childbirth.  These were frequently decorated with pictures of the Virgin. Botticelli was one of the most sought after painters in late fifteenth-century Florence. Several versions of this composition exist, including one in the National Gallery, London. Although it is of very high quality, this work was probably painted by an assistant.

Comments (4)

Comments are currently unavailable. We apologise for the inconvenience.
Virginia Knapp
28 November 2019, 06:19
To me it appears both Botticelli paintings are of Mary Magdalene and her children. Clothing is red and green, not blue. Loosely worn red hair. The toddler in the stored work is obviously not circumcised. Refer to the painting by Leonardo da Vinci, "Madonna of the Rocks."
"In art is the salvation of the world."
David Savage
18 January 2017, 11:56
The tondo came from the Fuller Maitland collection at Stansted House in Essex.

According to the Stansted House catalogue, it was acquired in Rome in 1842.

It was included in the Fuller Maitland sale on 14 July 1922.
Amgueddfa Cymru
18 June 2012, 11:11
Dear Mr. Jones, thank you for your comment, unfortunately we have very little information on the early history of this work and it requires further research.

Please contact clare.smith@museumwales.ac.uk if you wish to make an appointment to see works which are not currently on display
Gordon Jones
27 February 2012, 11:46
Need your help - are you able to date when this painting was commissioned and finished? Also is it possible to see the other painting you have from the workshop of Botticelli that is not on display ?
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