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Italian Altarpieces in the Royal Collection: 1300-1500

Prince Albert's taste in early Italian art marked him out amongst collectors

MASTER OF THE MISERICORDIA (ACTIVE C.1360-C.1385)

Madonna with Saints

c. 1380-85

RCIN 403954

Detail from the master of the Misericordia showing decorative borders and haloes©

The upper section shows Christ crucified upon the cross, mourned by the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Evangelist seated upon the rocky ground. Below the Virgin and Child are shown enthroned, surrounded by eight saints.

This middle section has been richly tooled by the artist, creating patterns in the haloes and borders out of flowers, dots and lines. In the lowest section are three quatrefoils, depicting Christ blessing, flanked by the Angel Gabriel and the Virgin, who receives the Annunciation. Around them, patterns have been created with a technique called pastiglia which uses gesso to form raised shapes. This lower section is separate from the rest of the panel, possibly the work of a younger artist around 1400. 


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