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Madonna and Child with Saint Catherine of Siena and a Carthusian Donor

Italian, Lombard (probably Pavia) Italian, Lombard (probably Pavia)
ca. 1411–24
Not on view
The Virgin, portrayed as the Madonna of Humility, is seated on a tiled pavement, surrounded by incised golden rays. The Virgin presents the Christ Child to Saint Catherine of Siena and a kneeling monk, who probably represents the donor. A Dominican nun, Saint Catherine bears a sheaf of lilies symbolizing her chastity. The halo around her head is that of a beata, suggesting that this painting was produced prior to her canonization in 1461. The kneeling figure is a monk of the Carthusian order and possibly represents Stefano Maconi, who was a companion of Saint Catherine and associated with her cult. Maconi served as prior of the Carthusian monastery of Pavia near Milan between 1411 and 1424. The panel has been associated with Cristoforo Moretti, a Cremonese painter who worked in Milan in the first half of the fourteenth century, and Giorgio de Mangano, a painter documented as working at the Carthusian monastery of Pavia between 1426 and 1434, and has affinities with the style of Donato de' Bardi, as well as Milanese illuminators of the mid-fifteenth century.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Madonna and Child with Saint Catherine of Siena and a Carthusian Donor
  • Artist: Italian, Lombard (probably Pavia)
  • Date: ca. 1411–24
  • Culture: Italian, Lombardy, probably Pavia
  • Medium: Tempera and gold on wood
  • Dimensions: Overall 22 5/8 x 13 1/8 in. (57.5 x 33.3 cm); painted surface 21 7/8 x 12 1/4 in. (55.6 x 31.1 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.1.98
  • Curatorial Department: The Robert Lehman Collection

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The Madonna of Humility, the Annunciation, the Nativity, and the Pietà, Bartolomeo Vivarini Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
The Madonna of Humility, the Annunciation, the Nativity, and the Pietà
Bartolomeo Vivarini
ca. 1465
Saint Anthony the Abbot in the Wilderness, Osservanza Master Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
Saint Anthony the Abbot in the Wilderness
Osservanza Master
ca. 1435
The Annunciation to Zacharias; (verso) The Angel of the Annunciation, Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia) Italian, Tempera and gold on wood
The Annunciation to Zacharias; (verso) The Angel of the Annunciation
Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia)
ca. 1455–60
Coronation of the Virgin, Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia) Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground
Coronation of the Virgin
Giovanni di Paolo (Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia)
ca. 1455
Madonna and Child, Benvenuto di Giovanni Italian, Tempera on wood, gold ground
Madonna and Child
Benvenuto di Giovanni
ca. 1470

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