ticketsMember | Make a donation

Madonna and Child with Saints

ca. 1520
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 961
The saints (left to right) are Catherine of Alexandria, Leonard, Augustine, and Apollonia.

Painted in about 1520 for the Augustinian church of San Leonardo nel Monte outside Verona, the picture was described at length by the sixteenth-century biographer Giorgio Vasari, who especially admired the landscape and enormous laurel tree. While the Madonna and Child reflect the work of Andrea Mantegna, the distant hill crowned with a fortress and the dead tree are taken over directly from Dürer's well-known engraving of Saint Eustace. The juxtaposition of the dead tree with the flourishing laurel refers to Death and Resurrection, while the peacock is a traditional symbol of immortality.

A versatile artist, Girolamo dai Libri was equally famous as an illuminator of books, whence his name dai Libri ("of the books"). Of modern manufacture, the frame is based on Renaissance prototypes.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Madonna and Child with Saints
  • Artist: Girolamo dai Libri (Italian, Verona 1474–1555 Verona)
  • Date: ca. 1520
  • Medium: Tempera and oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: Arched top, 157 x 81 1/2 in. (398.8 x 207 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1920
  • Object Number: 20.92
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

Audio

Cover Image for 27. Music: Madonna and Child, Girolamo dai Libri

27. Music: Madonna and Child, Girolamo dai Libri

Listen to the musical instrument featured in this painting

0:00
0:00

The angel in the foreground of this painting is playing a vihuela da mano. This instrument bears some resemblance to the lute but really has more in common with the guitar. It was used most often in sixteenth century Spanish music. On occasion, it’s also encountered in Italy, as it is in this painting by the Veronese artist Girolamo dai Libri. The following composition is by Luys Milan, from El Maestro, his widely distributed collection of music for the vihuela da mano. Milan was the most notable composer of music for this instrument.

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Manuscript Illumination with the Holy Women at the Tomb in an Initial A, from an Antiphonary, Girolamo dai Libri Italian, Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment, Italian
Manuscript Illumination with the Holy Women at the Tomb in an Initial A, from an Antiphonary
Girolamo dai Libri
ca. 1490–1500
Manuscript Illumination with David in Prayer in an Initial M, from a Psalter, Girolamo dai Libri Italian, Tempera, ink, and gold on parchment, Italian
Manuscript Illumination with David in Prayer in an Initial M, from a Psalter
Girolamo dai Libri
1501–2
Manuscript Illumination with Singing Monks in an Initial D, from a Psalter, Girolamo dai Libri Italian, Tempera, ink, and gold on parchment, Italian
Manuscript Illumination with Singing Monks in an Initial D, from a Psalter
Girolamo dai Libri
1501–2
Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints, Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) Italian, Oil and gold on wood
Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints
Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi)
ca. 1504
Madonna and Child Enthroned, Carlo Crivelli Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground
Madonna and Child Enthroned
Carlo Crivelli
1472

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.