Relief in stucco, 'Virgin & Child with the Young Baptist & Two Cherubs', after Benedetto da Majano, Late 15th century, Italian

The Virgin, turned to the left holds the Child in arms. He lifts his right hand to bless the young St John who is seen in profile in half-length on the left. In the centre foreground is an open book. The upper corners of the relief contain two cherubs heads and a large cherub head appears below. The relief is recessed with a border.
There are remains of blue paint in the background, which may be original. The flesh parts are painted naturalistically, which is largely renewed.

This relief is one of several versions of a design which must depend on an original by Benedetto da Majano, which would have been executed ca. 1490. Purchased in Florence (E. Constantine £7 15s 10d )

After the sculptor Benedetto da Majano

This relief depicts the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus in her ams and with St John the Baptist on the left. In the centre of the foreground there is an open book with an illegible inscription. In the upper corners of the relief there are two winged cherub heads and a large cherub head appears below.

Versions of this composition with a cherub head below are not uncommon.

860-1891