1540, Bronzino (Agnolo di Cosimo), Holy Family with the Young St. John the Baptist (the "Panciatchi Madonna") -- Uffizi Gallery (Florence)
16th century documents tell us that this painting was commissioned by Bartolomeo Panciatichi, whose crest appears on the banner floating over the fortress in the background. The group of figures, bathed in a supernatural light in a nocturnal setting, is both physically and emotionally detached from the real world behind it. The figures emerge from the darkness around them, sculptural, compact and united as though in a bas-relief. The Virgin's head is inspired by a Classical Greek statue, while the Christ Child is reminiscent of a small Classical sleeping Cupid of which Michelangelo carved a replica.
1540, Bronzino (Agnolo di Cosimo), Holy Family with the Young St. John the Baptist (the "Panciatchi Madonna") -- Uffizi Gallery (Florence)
16th century documents tell us that this painting was commissioned by Bartolomeo Panciatichi, whose crest appears on the banner floating over the fortress in the background. The group of figures, bathed in a supernatural light in a nocturnal setting, is both physically and emotionally detached from the real world behind it. The figures emerge from the darkness around them, sculptural, compact and united as though in a bas-relief. The Virgin's head is inspired by a Classical Greek statue, while the Christ Child is reminiscent of a small Classical sleeping Cupid of which Michelangelo carved a replica.