Benvenuto di Giovanni
Italian, 1436–c. 1518
Virgin and Child
c. 1465–70
Jesus raises one hand in blessing, a solemn expression on his face. The Virgin Mary appears pensive as she gently touches her son's shoulder, suggesting she foresees his future suffering. Later in life, according to Saint John's Gospel, Jesus would say, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life," the first two words of which—“Ego Su[m]”—appear on his scroll. This small painting was intended to encourage private devotion, its gold background and formal composition focusing attention on the sacred figures.
| Medium | tempera and gold on panel |
| Dimensions | 16 1/16 x 11 3/4 in. (40.8 x 29.8 cm) |
| Object Number | 1955.933 |
| Acquisition | Acquired by Sterling and Francine Clark before 1955 |
| Status | On View |
Image Caption
Benvenuto di Giovanni, Virgin and Child, c. 1465–70, tempera and gold on panel. Clark Art Institute, 1955.933
Select Bibliography
Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Exhibit Eight: 15th and 16th Century Paintings. Exhibition catalogue. Williamstown, MA: Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, 1957.
Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Exhibit Fifteen: Italian Paintings and Drawings. Exhibition catalogue. Williamstown, MA: Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, 1961.
C., R. F. "Dipinti e disegni Italiani." Emporium 134 (September 1961).
Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. List of Paintings in the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Williamstown, MA: Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, 1970.
Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. List of Paintings in the Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute. Williamstown, MA: Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, 1972.
Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. List of Paintings in the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Williamstown, MA: Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, 1984.
Kern, Steven, ed. List of Paintings in the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Williamstown, MA: Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, 1992.
Perkins, F. Mason. "Alcuni dipinti senesi sconosciuti o inediti." Rassegna d'arte antica e moderna 13, no. 12 (Dicembre 1913): 1959.
Frederickson, Burton B., and Darrell D. Davisson. Benvenuto di Giovanni, Girolamo di Benvenuto: Their Altarpieces in the J. Paul Getty Museum and a Summary Catalogue of Their Paintings in America. J. Paul Getty Museum Publications 2. Malibu, CA: J.Paul Getty Museum, 1966.
Frederickson, Burton B. and Federico Zeri. Census of Pre-Nineteenth-Century Italian Paintings in North American Public Collections. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1972.
