Madonna with Child and Little St. John 1497

"Madonna with Child and Little St. John" (1497), by Pietro Perugino (1446-1524), portrays the Virgin Mary cradling the Christ Child, with a youthful John the Baptist to their left. The figures are depicted in a serene and idealized manner, characteristic of the High Renaissance. The composition, with its balanced symmetry and clear lines, evokes a sense of harmony and order. The soft colors and gentle light enhance the devotional atmosphere of the painting, making it a popular subject for religious art. This artwork demonstrates the artist's mastery of the Umbrian school of painting, known for its lyrical and devotional style.