Madonna with Child, San Giovannino and three angels

Oil painting on canvas

112 x 84 cm.

In antique frame (defects) 145 x 113

We are pleased to share a painting of great charm and collectible relevance, which incorporates the famous 'Madonna with Child, San Giovannino and three angels' created by Andrea del Sarto (Florence 1486 - Florence 1530), one of the most outstanding exponents of the full Florentine Renaissance, defined by Vasari as painter "without errors", praising the formal perfection, speed and safety of execution.

Better known as "Madonna Corsini" from the name of its client Alessandro Corsini, a member of one of the most important Florentine families of the time, it was undoubtedly one of the masterpieces of Del Sarto's early maturity, enjoying particular fortune among Florentine collectors already at era, explaining the numerous copies, autographed or from the workshop, which enrich as many international museums [1].

The work is also particular in the iconography, as it is inspired by the fourteenth-century one of the Madonna of Humility, where the Virgin is seated on the ground with the Child on her lap. In our canvas, which is not a rigid copy but the presence of the interesting variations, we see the Infant John trying to take his cartouche, held by the Infant Jesus.

Of particular interest, as a further variation from the original version, is the addition of flowers scattered on the floor, small carnations, traditionally associated iconographically with Christ and the Passion.

Our composition slavishly takes up the compositional system, which appears to be rational despite the high concentration of characters, thanks to the trick of the drapery at the top that frames the scene as a theatrical backdrop. The composition is in fact dense, almost compressed in the pictorial surface, which only on the basis of the impression, the chiaroscuro and the nuance, the dynamic motifs, the luxuriant roundness of the children's bodies, would it be plausible to associate the authorship with a pupil of the workshop of Andrea del Sarto who, although with some customization, has been able to return all the poetry.

Focused on the refinement of the poses and the vivacity of the chromatic material, the sacredness of the image is softened by the spontaneous gestures of the protagonists, which lead to think of a scene of everyday life, rather than a religious image.

In works like this, the new proposal for a sacred art deeply immersed in the innovative spirit of the new Florentine ruling class was substantially contained, aimed at reconciling the religious aspect with the profane one. This trend caused some problems for the Mannerist painters, especially the more "experimental" ones, who attracted the attention of the Holy Inquisition, particularly sensitive to the theme of images, due to the indications that emerged in those years, from the Council of Trent.

Given the particular appreciation of the original work, there are other versions, made by the workshop of Andrea del Sarto, present in numerous public collections, including:

- Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto (http://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/opera/39421/), considered a second version that Del Sarto always created for the Corsinis

- The Hoare Collection, Stourhead, Wiltshire: https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/the-madonna-and-child-with-the-infant-saint-john-the-baptist-and... 

- Lord Egremont Collection at Petworth House, West Sussex (Duke of Buckingham Collection) https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/732112

- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Valenciennes: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vierge_%C3%A0_lEnfant,_saint_Jean_Baptiste_et_trois_anges,_d...

A copy of Michele Tosini, known as Michele di Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio (Florence 1503-1577), from the mid-16th century, is in Rome (Fondazione Sorgente Group): https://fondazionesorgentegroup.com/collezione-darte/pittura/madonna-con-il-bambino-san-giovannino-e...

The ipera is completed by an elegant antique wooden frame on which there are some defects and shortcomings in keeping with the time.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The work is sold with a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic card.

We take care and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.

It is also possible to see the painting in the Riva del Garda gallery, we will be happy to welcome you to show you our collection of works.

Contact us, without obligation, for any additional information.

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