SEBASTIANO DEL PIOMBO
(b. 1485, Venezia, d. 1547, Roma)

The Visitation

1518-19
Oil on wood transferred to canvas, 168 x 132 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris

This painting was commissioned by the city of Venice from Sebastiano to be offered to Queen Claude, wife of François I. The massiveness of the figures, the austerity of the mineral-hued faces, the glowing palette prove the artist's familiarity with the work of Michelangelo.