Description
In his right hand, the Christ child grasps a stem of roses. The beauty and fragrance of roses symbolize heaven, while their thorny stems allude to the crown of thorns and Christ's suffering. The bird he holds in his left hand symbolizes the human soul. The elaborate haloes with Latin inscriptions identify the figures and help organize the composition. The names of Christ, Saint Jerome, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria appear in abbreviated form. The Madonna's halo proclaims her worthiness to bear the Son of God: "Hail, full of grace," while the inscription at the top is one of her most popular titles: "Merciful Mother."
Provenance
In sale held by Galardelli, Florence, May 13, 1914, lot 37, illus. in pl. I (as Sano di Pietro); Achillito Chiesa, Milan (sale: American Art Galleries, New York, Nov. 27, 1925, no. 50); Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Kind, Cleveland, 1925; The Fanny Tewksbury Kind Collection, 1956
Accession Number
1956.719
Medium
tempera and gold on wood panel
Dimensions
Framed: 68.5 x 47.5 x 5 cm (26 15/16 x 18 11/16 x 1 15/16 in.); Unframed: 59.7 x 39 cm (23 1/2 x 15 3/8 in.)
Classification
Painting
Credit Line
The Fanny Tewksbury King Collection
