Oil with gold accents and gold background on panel
Venice, Italy, c. 1450
Venetian School
Compositionally inspired by a panel by Jacopo Bellini (c. 1400-1470/71), now in the Musée de Louvre, Paris
Dimensions: 88 x 49 cm
Good condition
Provenance: Collection Marczell von Nemes (1866-1930); Galerie Hugo Helbig, Munich (from 2nd Nov 1933; no. 111); Private property, South Germany

The present panel shows a ‘Madonna dell'Umiltà’, which means the Virgin seated on a pillow on the ground. The composition comes directly from the ‘Virgin and Child adored by a member of the Este family’, a panel by Jacopo Bellini (the father of Giovanni). now in the Louvre in Paris. In Bellini's work, the Child is blessing the kneeling Este in the lower left corner; our Child repeats the same gesture, but the figure is missing. Jacopo was strongly influenced by the style of Gentile da Fabriano (1370-1427), who was his master in Venice. Our panel, which must be dated around 1450, was executed by a Venetian artist, close to Michele Giambono (1400-1462) or to the Master of Roncajette.

Condition:
The painting is in good condition, consistent with age and wear. The gilt parts are slightly rubbed. The paint surface shows evenly spread craquelure and a few tension cracks. The edges of the panel show light marks. Inspection under UV light reveal minor areas of retouching, especially along the cracks. There are traces of inactive worm infestation on the reverse. The panel measures 88 x 49 cm. (cbo) 

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