Madonna adoring the Child

In 1675 the work was in the collection of Cardinal Leopoldo de' Medici, but perhaps came to Florence before then. The brilliant colors exalt the soffused softness of the skin tones and the natural facial expressions. This is the smallest painting we have by Correggio. It could have been a Mantuan commission considering that the courtly and musical culture of the d'Este family could have influenced the planning of this cultured hymn to divine music. Dated at the beginning of the Emilian painter's activity, between 1510 and 1515.