Lot 2002 Dα

Rossello di Jacopo Franchi's long working period in Florence spanned almost exactly the entire first half of the 15th century. It thus fell in the period in which his native city rose to become the leading artistic center in Tuscany and as such replaced its rival neighbor Siena. Rossello di Jacopo Franchi is thought to have been a pupil of Mariotto di Nardo, and he was admitted to the Guild of St. Luke in 1424. His high standing within the Florentine artistic community is evident in his participation in the decoration of the Cathedral of Florence. He painted the altar panels depicting St. Blasius and the Twelve Apostles, the latter in collaboration with Bicci di Lorenzo and Lippo di Corso. His other major works include two depictions of the Coronation of the Virgin with numerous figures, one of which is housed in the Galleria dell'Accademia and another in the Pinacoteca Nazionale in Siena.
The present panel (cf. Fondazione Federico Zeri, no. 104755) depicts the popular theme of the Virgin Mary enthroned with the Christ Child. Jesus stands on His mother's lap and looks out towards the observer with His right hand upraised in a gesture of blessing, while Mary's gaze is slightly lowered. The two figures are accompanied by angels, who surround the throne and kneel before Mary, handing Her vases of flowers. The design of the central group can be compared to a panel once housed in the Vanni Collection in Turin and later in the Grassi Collection in Rome (Fondazione Federico Zeri, no. 23553).