Matteo di Giovanni
The Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist and the Archangel Michael
Siena, about 1490
Tempera on wood
57.9 x 40.4 cm
Christ rests his foot in the Virgin Mary’s cloak in a gesture of intimacy and comfort. The coral beads around Christ neck and wrist symbolise his blood. Behind Christ and Mary on the right, the Archangel Michael holds a set of scales, with which he measures the goodness of humanity’s deeds. He also holds a sword that reflects his warrior characterisation in the Bible.
On the left, John the Baptist holds a banner reading ‘ECCE AGNUS DEI’ (‘Behold the Lamb of God’) and points towards Christ. John’s right hand was popular in Sienese paintings of this period. In 1464, the relic (remnant) of John’s right hand had arrived in Siena Cathedral. To this day, the relic is displayed once a year between 19 June until John the Baptist’s feast day on 24 June; at all other times it is displayed in a reliquary (container for relics).
It is unknown whether this painting was created by Matteo for a specific patron or for speculative sale. There are at least 50 paintings by Matteo of Mary and Christ with different combinations of saints still in existence. A further 19 panels or more are now lost. The city of Siena had been dedicated to the Virgin Mary since 1260, meaning paintings of this type were exceptionally popular.
This painting is a high-quality example of Matteo’s artistic ability. He was famous for his elaborate use of gilding, punchwork, and decoration.
Purchased 1944 (No.44.2)
Further reading:
Bomford, David et al., ‘Gilding and Illusion in the Paintings of Bernardino Fungai’, National Gallery Technical Bulletin, 27, 2006, pp. 111-20.
Duits, Rembrandt, ‘Figures Riches: The Value of Gold Brocades in Fifteenth-Century Florentine Painting’, Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, 62, 1999, pp. 60-62.
Kanter, Laurence B., ‘Matteo di Giovanni’, in Italian paintings, ed. John Pope-Hennessy, New York, 1987, pp. 160-62.
Popovic, Danica, ‘The Siena relic of St John the Baptist’s right arm’, Zograf, 41, 2017, pp. 77-94.
Syson, Luke et al., Renaissance Siena: Art for a City, (exh. cat., National Gallery), London, 2007.
Trimpi, Erica Susanna, Matteo di Giovanni: Documents and a Critical Catalogue of his Panel Paintings, Ann Arbor, 1987, pp. 111-13.
