Virgin Mary and Child

Giovanni di Francesco del Cervelliera 1450

This small painting shows a delightful image of the Virgin Mary and Child, caught in a moment of particular intimacy. The protective and embracing arms of the mother shelter, as if in a niche, the baby Jesus who is holding a goldfinch - symbol of the Passion - anxious to escape. Mary's benevolent gaze accompanies the traditional gestures of her hands, one tenderly touching the child's feet, the other caressing his fingers.

Technical information

Author: Giovanni di Francesco del Cervelliera
Title: Virgin Mary and Child
Date: 1450
Material and technique: Tempera and gold on panel
Size: 52x36 cm
Location: Palazzo Pretorio Museum
First Floor

Refined, but nevertheless full of energy, the painting is part of the artistic production of the Master of Pratovecchio, Giovanni di Francesco del Cervelliera da Rovezzano, identified through recent studies involving an careful attribution process. In 1951, Roberto Longhi considered him as “basically representing the more secretive conscience of Florentine painting”. The delicate lines of the oval female face are also animated by a vital energy in the child, the heavy eyelids and the firm compositional structure are features that can be traced to other artworks by the artist, who is documented to have been part of the workshop of Filippo Lippi from 1440 to 1442, but who was not indifferent to the influence of Antonio del Pollaiolo and artists with a more vigorous and nervous stroke.