Italian Deruta Maiolica Rectangular Plaque, 17th Century

Ref: X762

Italian Deruta maiolica rectangular plaque, 17th century, depicting the Madonna and Child, the Virgin with a veil, clothed in a long-sleeved tunic with a mantle over her shoulders, the Christ child seated on her lap, one hand tugging the Virgin's veil, the other touching the fingers of the Virgin's left hand, with two putti above and a further putto within her sleeve.

Dimensions:

Height: 40.6cm. (16 in.); width: 31.7cm. (12¼ in.)

Notes:

Based on a relief by Benedetto da Maiano (1442–1497 Florence). A marble relief by Maiano with similar decoration can be found in the MET Museum (41.190.137.) It is suggested that 'Benedetto’s conceit of the Child toying with the veil and the play of expressive hands may have been borrowed from Leonardo da Vinci’s Madonna with the Carnation' (Wardropper, 2011). Some versions of the relief include angels, some do not, and some depict the Child holding an apple or orb rather than the veil.