The Virgin and Child and St. John
Artistattributed to
Raffaellino del Garbo
(Italian, about 1466–1524)
Dateabout 1500
Mediumtempera on panel
Dimensionsoverall: 61.9 x 40.8 x 6.7 cm (24 3/8 x 16 1/16 x 2 5/8 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineTheodore T. and Mary G. Ellis Collection
Object number1940.44
Label TextThis painting came to the museum in 1940 as the work of Raffaellino del Garbo. However, attributions to this artist are notoriously challenging to pin down. Not only was his work inconsistent in quality, but he also altered his style many times in response to new ideas circulating in Renaissance Florence. This painting may have been made significantly later, in the 1800s or early 1900s in the style of the artist, perhaps to appeal to British and American collectors of Italian Renaissance painting. The condition of the wood and the painted surface seem much newer than 500 years old, although the work could have been heavily restored prior to its purchase by Theodore Ellis in 1931.
The museum has not yet studied this work in depth but we have installed the painting with these open questions so specialists can study it more easily in person. If it indeed dates much later, it reminds us of the high quality of imitation Renaissance works made in the decades around 1900.
ProvenanceTheodore T. Ellis, Worcester MAOn View
Not on view
School of Provence
early 1400s
