Madonna and Child with Saints Philip and Agnes 1425 - 1430

Donato de' Bardi painted this ‘Madonna and Child with Saints Philip and Agnes’ around 1450 in Florence, Italy, using tempera and gold on wood. Painted for private devotion, this small altarpiece reflects the artistic and social values of its time. The gold background and idealized figures evoke a sense of divine transcendence, common in religious art. However, the tender interaction between the Madonna and Child also humanizes these sacred figures, making them relatable to contemporary viewers. The choice of Saints Philip and Agnes as companions to the Madonna and Child is telling. Philip, an apostle, represents the Church's foundation, while Agnes, a virgin martyr, embodies purity and faith. The triptych format, with its hinged wings, would have allowed the owner to display or conceal the central image depending on the occasion, reflecting the private nature of devotion in the home. The historian's role is to uncover the layers of meaning embedded within such an image, examining devotional practices, artistic conventions, and social values through archival documents, religious texts, and artistic treatises.