DescriptionChrist and the Virgin are shown pleading with God the Father for mercy on behalf of eight small figures, perhaps members of a prominent Florentine family. In the tradition of hieratic scale, the divine figures are portrayed many times larger than the mortals, who kneel in adoration and prayer. Pointing to the wound in his side, Christ says, "My Father, let those be saved for whom you wished me to suffer the Passion." The Virgin, holding one of her breasts, pleads, "Dearest son, because of the milk that I gave you, have mercy on them." The axis of God the Father, the dove of the Holy Spirit, and the kneeling Christ also represents the Trinity. The drama of the bold devotional image, with a geometric composition typical of Florentine painting of the later fourteenth century, was heightened by its original placement inside the entrance of the cathedral, where it faced the length of the vast interior.

 

 

This object is currently on view in the Museum's main building at 1000 Fifth Avenue.

Signatures, Inscriptions, and MarkingsInscriptions: [on black band against background] PADRE MIO SIENO SALVI CHOSTORO PEQUALI TU / VOLESTI CHIO PATISSI PASSIONE (My Father, let those be saved for whom you wished me to suffer the Passion); DOLCIXIMO FIGLIUOLO PELLAC: / TE CHIO TIDIE ABBI MIA DI CHOSTORO (Dearest Son, because of the milk that I gave you, have mercy on them).

ProvenanceFrom the Lady Chapel of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence, Italy (removed sometime after 1846); The Earls of Crawford and Balcarres, Haigh Hall, Wigan, Lancashire (1856-1940); David Alexander Robert Lindsay, 28th Earl of Crawford and 11th Earl of Balcarres, Haigh Hall, Wigan, Lancashire (sold, Christie's, London, October 11, 1946, no. 18); [Arthur Kauffman, London, 1946-1953]