Title: Two Hermit Saints

Artist: Bernardino Fungai

Madonna and Child with Two Hermit SaintsAbout 1480 Bernardino FungaiItalian, 1460–1516 Tempera on panel Here the Christ child stands calmly before the Madonna with his hand raised in blessing. Two unidentified male saints look tenderly over the Virgin’s shoulders. The goldfinch and apple on the ledge allude to Christ’s role as Savior. The apple signifies Original Sin, referring to the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge eaten by Adam and Eve, and the goldfinch with his red spot symbolizes the blood shed by Christ for humankind’s redemption.