Madonna, an Angel and Little St. John Adoring the Child 1497

Pietro Perugino made this painting, Madonna, an Angel and Little St. John Adoring the Child, in Italy, probably in the late 15th century. Its display in the Palazzo Pitti is a reflection of the Medici family's centuries-long patronage of the arts. Here, Perugino sets a devotional scene in the open air. The Madonna regards her son with her hands clasped in prayer, while an angel and St. John also pay homage. We might consider how the gentle, refined faces of the figures and the soft, diffused light reflect the religious ideals of Renaissance Florence. But also how the painting served a social function, reinforcing the importance of religious observance in society. By studying the patronage records of the time, and the writings of contemporary theologians, we can better understand the complex interplay of faith, power, and artistic production in Renaissance Italy.