Virgin and Child

Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola, nicknamed Parmigianino after his hometown of Parma in northern Italy, arrived in Rome in 1524. His paintings from that period are influenced by the art he saw there, especially works by Raphael and Michelangelo.

Several areas in this painting remain unresolved. Changes in the position of the Virgin’s feet are still visible. In contrast, the architecture is marked with neat incised lines and carefully painted. Parmigianino may have abandoned this painting when he fled Rome in 1527 during its invasion by mutinous German troops.