Virgin and Child with Saints Jerome and Bernardino and Angels c. 15th century

Editor: This is Sano di Pietro’s "Virgin and Child with Saints Jerome and Bernardino and Angels" at the Harvard Art Museums. I'm really struck by the use of gold leaf and the faces of the angels peeking out. What do you see in this piece, especially in the context of its time? Curator: The abundant gold speaks volumes. It's not just decorative, it represents divine light and the eternal realm. Notice how the Virgin's dark robe contrasts, grounding her in earthly compassion. The symbols surrounding her are potent cultural memories. Editor: Cultural memories? Can you elaborate? Curator: The "Ave Gratia Plena" inscription and the figures of Saints Jerome and Bernardino were instantly recognizable to the contemporary audience, offering layers of spiritual and historical meaning through visual cues alone. Editor: So, it’s like a visual language that we’re now learning to decode. Curator: Precisely! And decoding those symbols connects us to the faith, hopes, and values of the people who first encountered this image.