Lot 1028: Francesco Botticini (Florentine, 1446-1497)

Francesco Botticini (Florentine, 1446-1497) "Madonna and Child (Madonna del Latte) with Two Angels", tempera on panel, 43-1/2" x 33-1/2". Presented in an antique Renaissance-style frame. Provenance: Private collection, Europe. Literature: Everett Fahy "Some Early Italian Pictures in the Gambier-Parry Collection", The Burlington Magazine, Vol. 109, No. 768, 1967, Moretti Gallery Pittori Attivi in Toscana dal Trecento al Settecento, Edizioni Polistampa, 2001. Francisco Botticini, an early Italian Renaissance painter, was the son of a painter of playing cards. He studied under Cosimo Roselli and Andrea del Verocchio. After a brief period as Neri di Bicci's assistant, he established his own workshop, known for its decorative work. From 1471 he was a member of the Confraternity of the Archangel Raphael at Santo Spirito and in 1472, Confraternity of St. Luke. His most famous painting is the "Assumption of the Virgin" now in the National Gallery, London. His style draws influences from his contemporaries, Sandro Botticelli, as seen in the composition and the treatment of the Madonna and angels in this particular painting, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Filippo Lippi and Andrea del Verrocchio. This panel was probably made for private worship and enjoyment which was widespread in the late fifteenth century.