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Madonna and Child with Two Angels

early 1480s
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 604

The picture dates to about 1480–82, around the time Rosselli was working in Rome in the Sistine Chapel together with Perugino, Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Luca Signorelli. It was, however, painted for a Florentine, as the background has a view of the dome of the Florence cathedral. As indicated by its rather modest dimensions, the picture probably hung in a domestic interior, where it would have served as a focus for daily prayer and devotion. This function is further indicated by the empty space between the two adoring angels, which seems intended for the devotee. The Christ Child carries a small globe, signifying his role as the Salvator mundi, or savior of the world.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Madonna and Child with Two Angels
  • Artist: Cosimo Rosselli (Italian, Florence 1440–1507 Florence)
  • Date: early 1480s
  • Medium: Tempera and gold on wood
  • Dimensions: 33 1/2 x 23 in. (85.1 x 58.4 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
  • Object Number: 32.100.84
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Madonna and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist, Cosimo Rosselli Italian, Tempera, oil, and gold on wood
Madonna and Child with the Young Saint John the Baptist
Cosimo Rosselli
ca. 1490
Portrait of a Man, Cosimo Rosselli Italian, Tempera on wood
Portrait of a Man
Cosimo Rosselli
ca. 1481–82
Madonna and Child, Carlo Crivelli Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
Madonna and Child
Carlo Crivelli
ca. 1480
Madonna and Child Enthroned with Two Angels, Fra Filippo Lippi Italian, Tempera and gold on wood, transferred from wood
Madonna and Child Enthroned with Two Angels
Fra Filippo Lippi
ca. 1440
The Last Communion of Saint Jerome, Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi) Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
The Last Communion of Saint Jerome
Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi)
early 1490s

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