Artwork
Virgin and Child enthroned between St Ursula and St Catherine

Virgin and Child enthroned between St Ursula and St Catherine is an oil painting by Davide Ghirlandaio. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
This tempera painting, created in 1490, depicts a devotional scene with the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child at its center, accompanied by two female saints.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features the Virgin Mary seated on a throne-like chair, holding the Christ Child, flanked by Saint Ursula (in pink, holding a spear) and Saint Catherine of Alexandria (in red, holding a wheel, referencing her martyrdom). The Virgin wears a crown, while the saints are haloed, emphasizing their sacred status.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera, a medium characteristic of the period, the painting reflects the traditional techniques of 15th-century Florentine art, though specific stylistic innovations or deviations by Davide Ghirlandaio are not immediately notable in this work.
History & Provenance
Painted by Davide Ghirlandaio in 1490, the work became part of the Fitzwilliam Museum's collection. Davide, who worked under and later succeeded his brother Domenico after 1494, produced this piece during his active period as a Florentine painter and mosaicist.
Context
As a religious painting from the late 15th century, it aligns with the devotional art prevalent in Florence during the Renaissance, highlighting the veneration of the Virgin and female saints among the devout.
Legacy
While not widely renowned beyond its religious genre classification, the painting provides insight into the lesser-documented work of Davide Ghirlandaio and the continued influence of traditional religious themes in early Renaissance art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Davide Ghirlandaio (1452–1525), also known as David Ghirlandaio and as Davide Bigordi, was an Italian painter and mosaicist, active in his native Florence.














