Relief, stucco, The Virgin and Child, style of Donatello, Italy, Florence, first half of 15th century

This is a relief in pigmented stucco representing the Virgin and Child. The Virgin is shown in half-length behind a parapet with head turned three-quarters to the right. She supports the Child with her left hand, and caresses his shoulder with her right. The Child stands on the parapet, with left knee bent and left foot advanced, and touches the Virgin's veil with his left hand. Above are two foliated swags with three cherub heads. The background is slightly convex and the relief is recessed within a border of frame which recedes at the top.

Bought from the Gigli-Campana Collection for £15, in 1861.

This stucco relief of the Virgin and Child is made in the style of Donatello in Florence in the first half of the 15th century.

Images of the Virgin and Child were found in virtually every noble household in 15th-century Florence. They acted as a focus for personal devotion and were thought to protect the family from harm. They were believed to have talismatic and protective properties. Some compositions, particularly those associated with miracle-working images, became very popular and were widely reproduced.

7590-1861