ANGELICO, Fra
(b. ca. 1400, Vicchio nell Mugello, d. 1455, Roma)

Virgin and Child with Sts Dominic and Catherine of Alexandria

c. 1435
Tempera with gilding on wood, 24 x 19 cm
Pinacoteca, Vatican

This small high quality panel shows the Virgin in glory between two groups of praying angels. She is worshipped by Saint Dominic and Saint Catherine of Alexandria, who appear on a smaller scale at the sides of the throne. The former, wearing the Dominican habit, holds a lily in one hand, and in the other the book of the Constitutions of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans); the latter, recognizable by her attribute, the wheel, holds the martyr's palm between her hands. The holy child, standing on his mother's lap, strokes her cheek with his right hand while she holds him close, and in her free hand she holds a white rose.

The early provenance of the panel is not known.




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