Artwork
The Virgin and Child enthroned, between (left) St Lawrence and (right) St John Gualbert
The Virgin and Child enthroned, between (left) St Lawrence and (right) St John Gualbert is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Francesco di Antonio di Bartolomeo. It dates from 1416 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Virgin and Child enthroned, between St Lawrence and St John Gualbert is a religious painting created in 1416 by Francesco di Antonio di Bartolomeo, a Florentine artist active during the early Renaissance. It features the Virgin Mary and the Christ child centrally positioned, flanked by two saints, against a gold background.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a traditional Christian scene of veneration, with the Virgin and Child as the focal point, symbolizing divine presence. The inclusion of St Lawrence and St John Gualbert, saints associated with martyrdom and religious reform, respectively, may reflect the patron's devotional interests or the work's intended location.
Technique & Style
Characterized by formal, stiff poses typical of early Renaissance art, the painting showcases intricate details in the figures' clothing and surrounding architecture. The liberal use of gold leaf enhances the overall sense of luxury and solemnity, consistent with the period's artistic conventions.
History & Provenance
Created in 1416, the painting is part of the Fitzwilliam Museum's collection. While the artist's activity in Florence is documented from 1393 to 1452, specific details about the painting's original commission or early ownership are not provided.
Context
This work embodies the transitional aesthetic of the early Renaissance, balancing traditional medieval elements (such as the gold background) with the emerging realism and attention to detail characteristic of the period's artistic evolution in Florence.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco di Antonio di Bartolomeo
Francesco d'Antonio or d'Antonio di Bartolomeo (born 1393, active until 1452) was an Italian Renaissance painter of the Renaissance, mainly active in Florence.
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