Bronzino (1503-1572) & Workshop
Madonna col Bambino e San Giovannino (Virgin and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist)
1527–1530 or later
Oil on panel, 81.6 × 57.4 cm
Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago
This painting provides a revealing glimpse into the workshop practice of Agnolo Bronzino. Three examples of the composition are known; an original version and two copies, including this one. All are unfinished. This version and the other copy follow a cartoon, or pattern drawing, based on the original work, and may be from a later date. It is unclear why these replicas were begun and then abandoned. (AIC)