"The Virgin of the Rocks"

As the name indicates, the scene shows a rocky grotto, where four figures are sitting together on the stone floor in a pyramid form.

To the right the Archangel Gabriel welcomes us to the scene with an enigmatic gaze, pointing to the child-figure of Saint John. With his other hand, the angel supports the Christ Child sitting next to him. At the apex of the pyramid sits the Virgin whose hand is raised, palm-down, over the head of the infant Christ, as if giving him a blessing.

Gabriel's hand, which is pointing to the infant John, forms a horizontal line in the space between the Virgin's hand and the head of Christ, seems to tell us to imitate him, and as if completing an invisible cross. Meanwhile, the Christ Child tiny right arm is raised in a gesture of benediction, aimed at the infant Saint John, who clasps his hands in prayer. The circle is completed by the Madonna who extends her arm to encircle the head of the infant John."

Besides the meaning, the impression of depth in the background, as well as the technique of sfumato, which allows colors to shade gradually into one another, are the features that catch the viewer's attention.