Artwork

Virgin and Child with Saints Mary Magdalen and John the Baptist

Virgin and Child with Saints Mary Magdalen and John the Baptist is an unspecified painting by Lippo d'Andrea. It dates from 1420 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1420, this tempera panel by Florentine artist Lippo d’Andrea presents a devotional grouping of the Virgin Mary with the infant Christ, flanked by Saint Mary Magdalene and Saint John the Baptist. The work is part of the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure of the Virgin cradles the newborn Jesus, emphasizing maternal tenderness, while the two saints—Mary Magdalene, traditionally associated with repentance, and the youthful John the Baptist, a forerunner of Christ—frame the scene, directing their gazes toward the holy pair and reinforcing themes of intercession and prophetic witness.

Technique & Style

Executed in tempera on panel, the painting employs a restrained palette of deep blues, blacks, and muted earth tones. The Virgin’s dark robe is detailed with gold‑threaded patterns, and a veil covers her head, while the infant is swaddled in a light cloth. The figures are rendered with modest modeling and a flat, linear quality characteristic of early 15th‑century Florentine practice.

History & Provenance

Lippo d’Andrea, who joined the Compagnia di San Luca in 1411 and contributed fresco work in Prato, was formerly identified as the anonymous “Pseudo‑Ambrogio di Baldese.” The panel entered the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, through acquisition in the 20th century, though earlier ownership records remain limited.

Context

The composition reflects the devotional trends of early Renaissance Florence, where intimate portrayals of the Virgin and Child were paired with locally venerated saints. The inclusion of Mary Magdalene and John the Baptist aligns with the period’s emphasis on penitence and prophetic anticipation within private worship settings.