“Madonna with St. Stephen and St. John the Baptist,” a religious painting created by Parmigianino between 1539 and 1540, is rendered on a panel and belongs to the Mannerism (Late Renaissance) art movement.
In the artwork, the central figure of the Madonna is depicted in a celestial ascension, enveloped in a radiant, luminous aura. She holds the Christ Child tenderly, exuding a serene divinity. Below, St. Stephen on the left and St. John the Baptist on the right are portrayed with classical poise. St. Stephen is adorned in traditional clerical robes, holding a palm frond as a symbol of martyrdom, and gazes towards the viewer with an expression of contemplation. He is grasping a stone, emblematic of his martyrdom by stoning. St. John the Baptist, garbed in a simple, austere garment, carries a reed cross symbolizing his role as the precursor to Christ, and he gazes towards the Madonna and Child with reverence. The composition reflects the characteristic elongated forms and elegant postures typical of the Mannerism movement, creating a harmonious yet dynamically intricate depiction of sacred figures. The background, composed of billowing clouds, enhances the divine ambiance of the scene, emphasizing the ethereal atmosphere surrounding the holy figures.
