Virgin and Child 1527

"Virgin and Child" by Parmigianino, painted in 1527, depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child. This painting is a prime example of the Mannerist style, characterized by elongated figures and a sense of artificiality, which contrasts the naturalism of the High Renaissance. The composition and figure's elongated limbs contribute to the work's overall feeling of elegance and refinement. The inclusion of a classical architectural element in the background further emphasizes the Mannerist preoccupation with classical antiquity. This painting, currently housed in the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, is one of Parmigianino’s most celebrated works.