The Madonna of the Swallow (La Madonna Della Rondinella) 1587

Annibale Carracci made this etching, "The Madonna of the Swallow," in Italy, circa 1587. Here, we see the Virgin Mary seated, holding a book, as the Christ Child clutches a small bird, observed by another child who seems to be attempting to grab it from him. Carracci was instrumental in reforming the prevailing Mannerist style, moving toward the renewed classicism that would come to dominate the Baroque era. His art, while deeply devout, was also humanist in its desire to portray religious figures with more naturalism. The figures' relative simplicity, soft lines, and realistic proportions are decidedly anti-Mannerist. In Bologna, where Carracci was active, the Catholic Church was reasserting its authority in the wake of the Protestant Reformation through the patronage of art. At the same time, academies of art were codifying artistic training in ways that mirrored the conservatism of the church. These are some of the historical resources we might consult to interpret Carracci's place within the history of art. Studying social and institutional contexts provides insights into the creation and meaning of art.