Matteo di Giovanni
Italian c. 1430–1495
Virgin and Child with Two Angels
c. 1480
The Virgin Mary balances an unfinished miniature building on one arm, while her son Jesus raises his hand in a blessing. Behind them, two angels unfurl a scroll on which an appeal to “contribute to this devotion” is written in Italian. The painting was probably intended to encourage viewers to earn blessings by offering donations toward the construction of a monastery or church—perhaps one resembling the structure depicted.
| Medium | tempera and gold on panel |
| Dimensions | 23 13/16 x 17 13/16 in. (60.5 x 45.3 cm) |
| Object Number | 1955.934 |
| Acquisition | Acquired by Sterling and Francine Clark before 1955 |
| Status | On View |
Image Caption
Matteo di Giovanni, Virgin and Child with Two Angels, c. 1480, tempera and gold on panel. Clark Art Institute, 1955.934
Select Bibliography
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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.
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