Madonna and Child and the Young St John the Baptist 1495

Sandro Botticelli's "Madonna and Child and the Young St John the Baptist" is a quintessential example of Early Renaissance art. Painted in 1495, this oil painting depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child, who is embraced by the young St John the Baptist. Botticelli's masterful use of line and his graceful figures reflect the artistic ideals of the Florentine Renaissance, while the soft, delicate colors create a sense of spirituality. This painting is housed at Palazzo Pitti in Florence, Italy.