Madonna with Child and Savior

A double-sided panel

The panel, dating back to the 14th century, depicts the Virgin with Child and, on the reverse, Christ the Savior blessing. The iconography and type of painting, an opistodoma panel, i.e. a panel painted on both sides, are the same as in the so-called Madonna della Sfida, kept in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore.

As stated in nineteenth-century records, the figures had to be full-length. Among the hypotheses that have been made about its function is the idea that it was a processional standard.

There have been various stylistic interpretations of this painting, in which even Sienese echoes have been recognised. It has sometimes been compared to the paintings in Santa Caterina a Galatina.

The setting of the Virgin owes much to Greek icons, in particular to the Hodeghitria type, with the Madonna presenting her son holding him in her arms. The long robe in which the Child is cloaked is also of oriental taste.

Particular attention was paid to the gold rendering, through the use of punched and pastiglia decorations.