Madonna and Child with the Infant St John

Of all the Madonnas by Lucas Cranach, this one from the Uffizi is most closely allied to Italian art, so much so that it must be regarded as evidence of a possible visit to Italy by the artist. The brightness and balance of colours and composition recall the Madonna paintings of the young Raphael and his master Perugino. The latter's Madonna with Child and the Infant St John in Frankfurt shows clear parallels with Cranach's panel.