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The artist makes it difficult for us to decide whether this picture shows the Virgin and Child or the Roman goddess of love, Venus, with Amor. The boy holds a rose, the symbol of love. The globe refers to the all-encompassing nature of love. Whether this is heavenly or profane love, however, is left to the viewer. Parmigianino’s painting is an early highlight in Mannerist art. The ambiguity of the image is typical of this period.