The Virgin suckling the infant Christ

The Carracci family of painters, comprising the brothers Annibale and Agostino Carracci, and their cousin Ludovico, are immensely important in art history. In the late 16^th century they represented a backlash against the artifice and perceived frivolity of Mannerism. Based in Bologna, they established the Accademia di Incamminati (Academy of the Journeying) to restore art to its right path, following the role model of Raphael.

This engraving, after Annibale Carracci, depicts the Virgin Mary breastfeeding the Infant Christ, who lies on her lap. It has obvious affinities in subject and style to his brother Agostino's <em>Madonna nursing the Christ Child</em> (1972-0021-1), one of the finest late Renaissance/early Baroque drawings in Te Papa's collection.

The engraving is part of the so-called King George IV album of Old Master prints, acquired by the Dominion Museum in 1910.

Dr Mark Stocker          Curator, Historical International Art        February 2017