Why it matters
The young Virgin, in sumptuous clothes, holds a red carnation (suggesting the Passion) while the Christ Child looks up from her lap. Once attributed to Verrocchio, it is now agreed to be by Leonardo, probably painted during his apprenticeship.
Did you know?
- It dates from around 1478–1480.
- Mother and child make no eye contact.
- It resembles Leonardo's Annunciation.
Based on the Wikipedia article Madonna of the Carnation (CC BY-SA 4.0).
