a visit with jesus

 Bible Art

Madonna del Prato (also known as Madonna of the Meadow)
Artist: Raphael
 1505-6    Painting

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Currently housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Raphael painted this in 1505-6. It depicts three figures the central one being that of the Virgin Mary as she looks down on the infants Jesus and John the Baptist.

She lovingly holds the toddler Jesus, propping him up as he leans towards the cross John is holding up in front of him.

Madonna of the Harpies
Artist: Anfrea del Sarto
 1517    Painting

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The Madonna of the Harpies is a densely symbolic altarpiece. The Virgin Mary stands in the center of the composition, cradling the Christ child with her right hand, and holding a book (symbolizing her wisdom) in her left. She is flanked by two saints while two agitated putti clutch at her calves. The outward gaze of St John the Evangelist and St Francis command the devotional attention of the viewer, while the painting, which carries a rich and expressive use of color, also displays del Sarto's command of fabrics and his ability to represent them as they envelop the forms and contours of the human figure. 

This altarpiece in oils is in the  Galleria degli Uffizi