GHIRLANDAIO, Domenico
(b. 1449, Firenze, d. 1494, Firenze)

Portrait of the Donor Francesca Pitti-Tornabuoni

1486-90
Fresco
Cappella Tornabuoni, Santa Maria Novella, Florence

The two portraits of the praying patrons, Giovanni Tornabuoni and Francesca Pitti, are at the sides of the main altar. Their poses are similar to those of Francesco Sassetti and Nera Corsi, but their appearance and the setting are quite different.

The donor's wife is kneeling in prayer on the right side, opposite her husband. By the time the fresco was created she had been dead for some years. It is possible that the pallor of her face indicates this.