Who painted The Virgin and Child with Saints and the Annunciation?

The Virgin and Child with Saints and the Annunciation was painted by Giovanni di Paolo in 1428.

Where can I see The Virgin and Child with Saints and the Annunciation?

The Virgin and Child with Saints and the Annunciation is held by Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

What movement is The Virgin and Child with Saints and the Annunciation?

The Virgin and Child with Saints and the Annunciation is associated with Early Renaissance.

Artwork

The Virgin and Child with Saints and the Annunciation

Giovanni di Paolo , 1428

The Virgin and Child with Saints and the Annunciation is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Giovanni di Paolo. It dates from 1428 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1428, this triptych by Giovanni di Paolo presents a devotional scene centered on the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus, flanked by a group of saints. The work is composed of three hinged panels, allowing the side wings to close over the central image. It is part of the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The central panel emphasizes the theological bond between Mary and Christ, while the surrounding saints serve as intercessors for the viewer. Each wing panel adds two additional saints accompanied by an angel, reinforcing the narrative of heavenly mediation and the annunciation of Christ’s birth.

Technique & Style

Executed in the early Renaissance idiom prevalent in Italy, the painting employs vivid pigments and extensive gold leaf, lending a luminous quality to the figures and background. The use of rich coloration and decorative gilding reflects contemporary tastes for both visual splendor and symbolic radiance.

History & Provenance

After its creation in the early 15th century, the triptych entered private collections before being acquired by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where it remains on display. Its documented provenance traces a path from regional devotional contexts to a major American public institution.

Context

Giovanni di Paolo worked in Siena, a center of artistic activity where the International Gothic tradition merged with emerging Renaissance principles. This work illustrates that transitional moment, combining elaborate ornamental detail with a more naturalistic treatment of space and figure.

Artist & collection

Artist

Giovanni di Paolo

Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia was an Italian painter, working primarily in Siena, becoming a prolific painter and illustrator of manuscripts, including Dante's texts.