The Virgin and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist

The painting represents the Virgin watching the conversation between Jesus and John the Baptist. The group is separated from the background by an elegant fabric; in the landscape, on the left we see the procession of the Magi and on the right the Flight into Egypt. The work has always been attributed to Pinturicchio; characteristic of his style are the naturalistic observations and decorative details such as the Child’s sandals and the fur garment of the Baptist with the spray of ivy. Other details, such as the folds of the cloak of St. John, reveal a weakness of execution which suggests the work of assistants. The tondo was probably painted for a private client.