Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Simone Peterzano died in 1596; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1666.
In context
Madonna and child — Simone Peterzano
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 56 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of Simone Peterzano (1540–1596) every dated painting, decade by decade
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/simone-peterzano-madonna-and-child-A2ACFT-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Walnut #705e3f
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 10 works by this artist, of which 2 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Venice, Italy
Born: Venice, Italy in 1540.
Initial training under the tutelage of Titian, a master of Venetian Renaissance painting. This foundational experience deeply influenced Peterzano’s use of color and composition.
Peterzano's early career saw him move to Milan, where he began to establish himself as a painter of religious subjects.
Peterzano’s style evolved within the context of Mannerism, characterized by elongated figures, stylized poses, and dramatic compositions. However, he infused this with a Venetian sensibility learned from Titian.
His work demonstrates influences from other prominent artists of the time, including Veronese and Tintoretto, particularly in his use of vibrant colors and dynamic scenes.
Over time, Peterzano’s style became more monumental and austere, reflecting a shift towards a more restrained aesthetic.
Frescoes in San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore (Milan): Early works showcasing his Venetian influences and establishing his reputation in Milan.
Frescoes at Garegnano Charterhouse (1578-1582): Considered one of his most significant achievements, these frescoes demonstrate a masterful command of composition and narrative.
Religious Paintings: Numerous altarpieces and devotional works for churches throughout Milan and the surrounding region, including “Madonna with Child and Saints” (Bioggio) and “St. Ambrose between Sts. Gervasius and Protasius” (Duomo of Milan).
Still Life paintings: Peterzano also created several still life paintings, demonstrating a keen eye for detail and texture.
Peterzano’s most enduring legacy lies in his role as the teacher of Caravaggio, one of the most revolutionary artists in Baroque history. He instructed Caravaggio between 1584 and 1588.
While Caravaggio ultimately developed a highly individual style, Peterzano provided him with a solid foundation in technique and composition.
Peterzano’s work represents a bridge between the Mannerist tradition and the emerging Baroque style. His emphasis on dramatic lighting and emotional intensity foreshadowed developments in 17th-century painting.
Death: Peterzano died in Milan in 1596, leaving behind a significant body of work that continues to be studied and appreciated today.
Peterzano’s contributions to art history are increasingly recognized for their influence on Caravaggio and his role in the transition from Mannerism to Baroque.
His paintings offer valuable insights into the artistic climate of late 16th-century Italy.
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/simone-peterzano-madonna-and-child-A2ACFT-en/
Look closely
Madonna and child — Simone Peterzano
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
"Madonna and child" by Simone Peterzano depicts: virgin mary, children.
"Madonna and child" by Simone Peterzano has a gentle luminance luminance. Luminance describes how much light the colors appear to reflect.
The image of "Madonna and child" by Simone Peterzano can be downloaded from the artwork's Download page: a high-resolution digital image download.