Adoration of the Child 

Domenico Ghirlandaio's "Adoration of the Child," now in Milan's Biblioteca Ambrosiana, presents a serene scene composed within a tondo, a circular format. The soft, diffused light gently models the figures, creating a sense of calm devotion. Ghirlandaio constructs the scene with a careful arrangement of forms and colors: Mary's dark blue robe contrasts with the light hues of the landscape, anchoring the composition. The infant Christ, placed at the very bottom, draws the eye, while the flanking figures of Joseph and Mary create a balanced, symmetrical structure. The careful arrangement of figures within the circular frame echoes Renaissance ideals of harmony and order. Here, the formal qualities underscore the theological content. The composition, color, and light all serve to emphasize the central importance of the Christ Child, inviting the viewer to contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation. The circular form, in its continuous, unbroken line, could be interpreted as a visual metaphor for the eternal nature of divinity.