Barocci's Madonna & Holy Friends at London's National Gallery

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Ernest Disney-Britton

The Madonna of the Cat ('La Madonna del Gatto')
probably about 1575, BY Federico Barocci

Mannerism is notable for its intellectual sophistication as well as its artificiality, and it's that artificial element which made it a target for realist artists such as Caravaggio. One of the central figures of this movement in the late 16th-century was Frederico Barocci who was influenced by Raphael. In a new exhibition at the National Gallery of London,  there are 14 of his Mannerist religious paintings which will be on exhibit in "Barocci: Brilliance and Grace" (c.1535-1612). One of my favorites by Barocci is "The Madonna of the Cat" (above) inwhich the until Holy Family is represented with informally like any ordinary family. Note in the image that a young John the Baptist holds a goldfinch, a traditional symbol of Christ's Passion, teasing the cat shown in the left foreground. His reed cross rests against the wall. The Madonna is at the center of the image breastfeeding the baby Jesus, while Saint Joseph stoops forward to observe the scene. Who wouldn't want to be part of that family?