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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
The Madonna of Humility with Angels
c. 1440-50RCIN 400039
One of the paintings which was re-framed and displayed in Prince Albert's Writing and Dressing Room was this panel attributed to Zanobi Strozzi. The Virgin Mary tenderly holds the infant Christ upon her knee. She holds a lily, a symbol of her purity. Although the Virgin is seated low to the ground, as an expression of humility, she is also attended by two angels carrying roses, alluding to her exalted status as Queen of Heaven. The decorative cloth of honour, hanging around the Virgin, appears to be draped over the arms of a low throne and references luxury fabrics of the period.
Zanobi Strozzi worked as an independent master in the circle of Fra Angelico in Florence. Mainly documented as a manuscript illuminator, receiving commissions to adorn items such as choir books and missals, the artist is also recorded as a painter of panels.