Madonna and Child with Saints Francis, Lucy and attendant Angels

Alessandro Allori (1535 - 1607)

National Museum Cardiff

1583

St Lucy kneels on the right, the wound by which she was martyred visible on her neck. Her right hand supports a yoke inscribed Tanto pondere fixit eam Spiritus Sanctus - a reference to the inability of men and oxen to move her. Her left hand holds coins in a dish inscribed Thesaurizo thesauros in cello - a reference to the gift of her wealth to the poor. Opposite her kneels St Francis. The attendant angels proffer butter and honey on silver dishes while the Virgin, seated on a bed, wraps a bandage round the Child standing beside her.

• Medium: oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 258.4 x 167.5cm
• Art Fund Grant: £2000 ( Total: £12,000)
• ArtFunded in: 1969
• Vendor: Colnaghi

Provenance

Prince Massimo, Rome

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