Virgin and Child

Art Historical Context

Step into the elegant world of Italian Mannerism with Parmigianino's *Virgin and*, an exquisite print created 1527–30 Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, known Parmigianino (1503–1540), was a figure in the Mannerist movement, celebrated for his elongated, graceful figures and refined elegance that stretched beyond High Renaissance ideals. This intimate depiction of the Madonna tenderly holding the Christ Child embodies the devotional piety of the era, a popular theme in Catholic art during the Counter-Reformation's early stirrings. Crafted as an etching with engraving and drypoint, printed in warm brown ink, this work measures just 3 11/16 x 2 1/4 inches—perfect for personal devotion or collectors' albums. The second state of four reflects Parmigianino's meticulous process, where he refined the copper plate to achieve velvety textures and luminous effects unique to printmaking. Etching, a relatively new technique, allowed his fluid, calligraphic lines to shine, making his prints highly prized rarities even in his time. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1933), this gem highlights printmaking's rise as an accessible art form, bridging elite painting with broader audiences. Marvel at how Parmigianino's innovative touch transforms a tiny sheet into a window of spiritual grace.

About the Artist

Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola) · 1503–1540

Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, known as Parmigianino, was born on January 11, 1503, in Parma, into a family of artists. The eighth child of painter Filippo Mazzola and Donatella Abbati, he lost his father to the plague at age two and was raised by his uncles, Michele and Pier Ilario Mazzola, modestly talented painters who taught him the techniques of the craft. By his late teens, Parmigianino d...