Title: Madonna and Child

Artist: Gherardo Starnina

Title: The Madonna and Child with Musical Angels Date: About 1410 Artist: Gherardo Starnina Artist Details: Italian, Florence about 1360–Florence before 1413 Medium: Tempera and gold leaf on panel Description The Virgin, enthroned as Queen of Heaven, is adored by angels in colorful robes. Wriggling in his mother’s lap, the infant Christ reaches for a lily, symbol of Mary’s purity, and clutches a goldfinch, an allusion to his future Crucifixion. Starnina created an especially sumptuous image through effects such as gold punchmarked ornamentation, simulated marble, and geometrically patterned tiles. The luminous background symbolizes heaven.