The Virgin and Child with the Chirst Child blessing the young John the Baptist 1647

This 1647 etching by the Italian artist Bartolomeo Coriolano depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child who extends his hand in blessing towards the young John the Baptist, positioned on a small platform below. The scene is enclosed in an oval frame, and the inscription "Del Mondi" is displayed on a banner. This artwork, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a testament to the enduring artistic tradition of portraying the Virgin Mary and Christ Child in Renaissance art. It demonstrates Coriolano's mastery of line and detail, creating a compelling visual narrative of the holy figures.