Arguably the finest autograph early work by Correggio in the US, the “Virgin, Child and Young St. John the Baptist” in the Art Institute in Chicago, IL, is exquisite. It was probably painted in Parma, where Correggio spent nearly the entirety of his short career. The painting clearly demonstrates the influence of Raphael, from whom the young Correggio borrowed the pyramidal composition. From Leonardo, Correggio instead borrowed the sensuous rendering of color and light, soft blurred outlines, and Flemish-style landscape. All of it combined to produce one of the most beautiful paintings of the High Renaissance! Buona visione!