Madonna and Child 1436 - 1470

Sano di Pietro crafted this small panel of the Madonna and Child sometime in the 15th century. It is dominated by the iconic figures of Mary and the infant Jesus, set against a radiant gold background, symbols of divinity and purity. Consider the color blue, Mary’s robe, a hue derived from precious lapis lazuli. It is the color of the heavens, evoking the celestial and the divine. This chromatic symbol resonates with images of goddesses in antiquity, cloaked in blue mantles. This color appears again and again, each time layered with new cultural meaning, yet always tethered to a sense of the sacred. The emotional power of this image lies in its ability to tap into our collective memory, evoking a sense of reverence and awe that transcends time. The cyclical progression of this symbol demonstrates that the image resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.