Annibale CarracciItalian, 1560–1609La Naissance de la Vierge
Can I see it?
Yes, on view now
Where is “La Naissance de la Vierge” now? Musée du Louvre, Salle 716, Aile Denon, Niveau 1, Paris. Yes, on view now. Checked September 26, 2026.
Open now· until 6:00 PM
On public display.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
The Birth of the Virgin is an oil painting on canvas by the Italian Baroque painter Annibale Carracci, commissioned by Cesare d'Este in 1605 but still incomplete in the artist's studio upon his death in 1609. It hung in one of the chapels in the Loreto Basilica from 1628 to 1633. The painting was looted by Napoleon's troops in 1797 and entered the Louvre the following year, in whose collection it remains.
Details
- Accession number
- INV 190
In the catalog
Sources
- Musée du Louvre
- Image: Musée du Louvre — © 2018 GrandPalaisRmn (musée du Louvre) / Mathieu Rabeau
In the life of Annibale Carracci
The whole life1578–1595 · Workplace
Bologna
1580 · Workplace
Parma
1580–1581
A journey around Italy with Agostino
At the behest of the elder Ludovico Carracci, Annibale and Agostino travelled around Italy and studied the work of Titian, among others. From this came their interest in the glimmering colour taken from the Venetian painters.
1582
Opens a studio-academy in Bologna
In 1582 Annibale, his brother Agostino and his cousin Ludovico opened a painters’ studio in Bologna, at first called the Academy of the Desiderosi and then the Incamminati, “those opening a new way”. It is considered the first major art school based on life drawing and was the model for later art schools throughout Europe.
1594
Cardinal Farnese summons the brothers to Rome
In 1594 Cardinal Odoardo Farnese invited Annibale and his brother Agostino to Rome to decorate the Palazzo Farnese with frescoes on mythological subjects.
1595
Moves to Rome for good, into the Palazzo Farnese
Probably in September or October 1595 Carracci moved from Bologna to Rome for good and settled in the Palazzo Farnese.
