Virgin Mary and Child with Saint Francis by Lorenzo Lotto

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Blessed Virgin Mary and Child with Saint Francis of Assisi. Lorenzo Lotto, c. 1540–1545

Lorenzo Lotto was a late Renaissance Italian painter known for his deeply expressive religious works and perceptive portraiture. Active across the Venetian mainland and the papal territories of the Marches, Lotto developed a highly individual style that often stood somewhat apart from the dominant Venetian artistic tradition. Although early in his career he was influenced by Giovanni Bellini and Antonello da Messina, his work retained a distinct emotional sensitivity and personal devotional tone.

Between 1508 and 1512 Lotto worked in Rome, where exposure to Raphael’s work, particularly in the Stanza della Segnatura, inspired him to adopt a more fluid approach to composition and a richer, more luminous use of color. Later, during a brief return to Venice in the 1520s, he encountered Titian’s grand compositional schemes and radiant palette, which further shaped his mature style. By the 1540s, when this painting was produced, Lotto had developed a refined visual language marked by tenderness, introspection, and devotional intimacy.

In this work, the Blessed Virgin Mary is shown holding the Christ Child on her lap, while Saint Francis of Assisi gazes toward Him with reverent affection. The Virgin’s elegant pink dress is adorned with delicate embroidered embellishments at the neckline and cuffs, while the Christ Child’s golden curls are rendered with exquisite finesse, each strand formed by soft, controlled strokes. The background is composed of rich, deep emerald tones, which subtly frame the figures and enhance the luminous presence of the holy Child. The gentle interaction between Francis and the Child reflects the Saint’s well-known fervent devotion to Christ in all the mysteries of His life—beginning with the humility of His birth in Bethlehem.

This painting thus captures both Lotto’s stylistic maturity and his profound capacity to convey spiritual intimacy through refined color, subtle emotional expression, and careful handling of light.

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This image is a public domain image, which means either that copyright has expired in the image or the copyright holder has waived their copyright. Franciscan Gallery charges for the access to high resolution copy of the image. Manually restoration was necessary in order to improve quality, without covering the original image.