Madonna Adoring the Child

Abstract

In the centre of this tondo, Mary is shown in adoration of the infant Jesus. Surrounding the central image are ten cherubs that are in turn framed by a garland containing fruits and nuts, among them apples, oranges, and chestnuts. The central figural relief is was fired in two parts (the break running along the Virgin's back), and the frame of fruits and cherubs was fired in five parts. The background of the central panel is slightly concave. Restoration revealed traces of the gold leaf that originally was used to ornament the angels' wings and other parts of the composition. The slick surface of glazed terracotta makes the gold (applied with a mordant after glazing) particularly susceptible to flaking. This is a large and particularly elaborate version of a subject made many times (often with molds, in a serialized production) by Luca and Andrea della Robbia. The way Andrea has portrayed the figures, specifically their simplicity and the ""delicate severity,"" has caused some to see in the work the influence of Savonarola, of whom the artist and his family became supporters and followers, but the use of gold and elaborate frame could mitigate against that suggestion. The work, of which the original location is unknown, is found today in the Museo Bandini in Fiesole. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.