The Virgin and Child with St Elizabeth and the Infant Baptist
Peter Paul Rubens, c1635
This painting explores the love's interdependence; the Virgin suckles the infant Christ, who sits on her left knee, as she converses with St Elizabeth, on the left.
St John, supported by his mother's right hand, caresses Christ's right foot, and lays his right hand on a lamb. Behind the group linked by a seamless chain of actions, an arcade reveals a landscape with trees. Joseph, originally included behind the pillar at the upper right, has been removed and painted over, probably for compositional reasons. During the last decade of its career, Rubens turned to the theme of the Holy Family on several occasions to portray the warmth and tenderness of human love.
More information
Title of artwork, date
The Virgin and Child with St Elizabeth and the Infant Baptist, c1635
Date supported
1960
Medium and material
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
180 x 139.5 cm
Grant
1000
Total cost
50,000
Get a National Art Pass and explore Walker Art Gallery
You'll see more art and your membership will help museums across the UK
National Art Pass offers available at Walker Art Gallery
Art Funded by you FAQs
Contact us
If you have a question about a work of art featured here, please contact the Programmes team. We’ll be happy to answer your enquiry.