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Orcagna Italian, active 1343 - 1368 Jacopo di Cione Italian, active 1365/1398 Madonna and Child with Angels, before 1370 tempera on panel Overall: 141 x 68.9 cm (55 1/2 x 27 1/8 in.) framed: 156.8 x 84.1 x 6.7 cm (61 3/4 x 33 1/8 x 2 5/8 in.) Samuel H. Kress Collection 1952.5.18 |
Object 5 of 8
In the early Middle Ages, Mary normally was represented enthroned as the Queen of Heaven. At the beginning of the 1300s, though, partly due to the humanistic teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi, a new subject emerged—the Madonna of Humility—which shows Mary seated upon the ground or, as in this case, a cushion. This Madonna of Humility adds the theme of the baby Jesus reaching for his mother’s breast to nurse. God the Father appears overhead, and the dove of the Holy Spirit flies down upon rays of light. Thus, the entire Trinity is present along with the Virgin.
Andrea Orcagna was the eldest of three artist brothers who often collaborated. Jacopo di Cione, the youngest brother, may have assisted Orcagna in the execution of this work. A small triptych or three-part altarpiece by their middle brother, Nardo di Cione, is also in the Gallery’s collection.
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