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Artwork

Madonna and Child with St Francis and the donor Father Jacopo da Montefalco (left) and St Bernard of Siena (right)

Benozzo Gozzoli , 1452

Madonna and Child with St Francis and the donor Father Jacopo da Montefalco (left) and St Bernard of Siena (right), by Benozzo Gozzoli, tempera, 1452
Madonna and Child with St Francis and the donor Father Jacopo da Montefalco (left) and St Bernard of Siena (right), by Benozzo Gozzoli, tempera, 1452

Madonna and Child with St Francis and the donor Father Jacopo da Montefalco (left) and St Bernard of Siena (right) is a tempera painting by the Early Renaissance artist Benozzo Gozzoli. It dates from 1452 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

This arrangement reflects the deep devotion to the Franciscan tradition within the donor's community, positioning the holy figures as intercessors for Jacopo.

The painting depicts a sacred assembly centered on the Madonna and Child, flanked by two prominent Franciscan saints and a specific donor. On the left stands Saint Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan order, alongside Father Jacopo da Montefalco, who is identified as the donor. To the right appears Saint Bernardino of Siena, a renowned Franciscan preacher and theologian.

This arrangement reflects the deep devotion to the Franciscan tradition within the donor's community, positioning the holy figures as intercessors for Jacopo. The work functions as a religious offering, visually linking the earthly patron with the celestial hierarchy through the shared spiritual lineage of the Franciscan order.

Technique & Style

The work is executed on a poplar panel using tempera pigments, a technique typical of early Renaissance painting. Its surface bears the fine, matte finish characteristic of tempera, while the delicate modeling of drapery and the vivid, narrative detail reflect Gozzoli’s stylistic emphasis on storytelling and ornamental richness. The composition combines a central Madonna and Child with flanking saints, rendered in a balanced arrangement that showcases the artist’s skill in handling spatial depth and facial expression.

History & Provenance

Created in 1452, the painting Madonna and Child with St Francis and the donor Father Jacopo da Montefalco (left) and St Bernard of Siena (right) was executed by Benozzo Gozzoli using tempera on a poplar panel. The work depicts religious figures including the Madonna and Child, Francis of Assisi, and Bernardino of Siena alongside the donor Father Jacopo da Montefalco. Current records indicate the artwork is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The piece measures approximately 34.5 cm in height and 54.5 cm in width.

Context

Benozzo Gozzoli's 1452 altarpiece depicting the Madonna and Child with saints Francis and Bernard of Siena exemplifies early Renaissance devotional painting within the broader context of 15th-century Italian religious art. The work reflects the stylistic conventions of the period through its use of tempera on poplar panel, compositional focus on sacred figures, and inclusion of donor portraits that underscore contemporary patronage practices. Its presence in the Kunsthistorisches Museum collection highlights its significance as a representative example of Gozzoli's output within the evolution of Florentine and Umbrian artistic traditions.

Overview

Created in 1452 by the Florentine artist Benozzo Gozzoli, this tempera panel presents a devotional grouping typical of the early Renaissance. The central figures are the Virgin Mary, clad in a green mantle, and the infant Christ, flanked by two kneeling saints and an attendant angel. A darkened backdrop punctuated by sparse foliage concentrates the viewer’s attention on the illuminated foreground.

Madonna and Child with Saint Jerome and Saint Bernardino of Siena
Madonna and Child with Saint Jerome and Saint Bernardino of Siena, Benvenuto di Giovanni

Artist & collection

Portrait of Benozzo Gozzoli

Artist

Benozzo Gozzoli

Benozzo Gozzoli (pronounced; born Benozzo di Lese; c. 1421 – 4 October 1497) was an Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. A pupil of Fra Angelico, Gozzoli is best known for a series of murals in the Magi Chapel of…

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Madonna and Child with St Francis and the donor Father Jacopo da Montefalco (left) and St Bernard of Siena (right)?

Madonna and Child with St Francis and the donor Father Jacopo da Montefalco (left) and St Bernard of Siena (right) was painted by Benozzo Gozzoli in 1452-01-01.

Where can I see Madonna and Child with St Francis and the donor Father Jacopo da Montefalco (left) and St Bernard of Siena (right)?

Madonna and Child with St Francis and the donor Father Jacopo da Montefalco (left) and St Bernard of Siena (right) is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Madonna and Child with St Francis and the donor Father Jacopo da Montefalco (left) and St Bernard of Siena (right)?

Madonna and Child with St Francis and the donor Father Jacopo da Montefalco (left) and St Bernard of Siena (right) is associated with Early Renaissance.