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Madonna and Child with a Pomegranate
This painting of the Madonna and Child donated to the Museum by Gwendoline Davies in 1952, has always been something of a mystery. Was it painted by Botticelli, a follower, or by artists in his workshop? Questions still remain, but exciting new evidence suggests the painting did in fact come from Botticelli’s studio, and that he himself was responsible for some of it. Botticelli was one of the principal Florentine painters of the late fifteenth century. This painting is based upon the central figures in his San Barnaba Altarpiece of about 1485, now in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence. The pomegranate held by the Christ Child is a Christian symbol of the Resurrection. The painting featured in the BBC’s Britain’s Lost Masterpieces on 13 November 2019.
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Comments - (4)
Dear Johann,
Many thanks for your enquiry, which I have forwarded to our Art department for their consideration.
Best wishes,
Marc
Digital Team
May I ask -
1. Do we know the auction provenance when Mr Blaker bought it for £105 in 1917?
2. Do we know how/when the Davies sisters acquired it?
3. Cardiff in 1952 asked Berenson for his opinion. Do we know why Cardiff did not seem to accept his opinion that it was from the studio of Botticelli with both faces possibly painted by Botticelli? Did Berenson see the actual picture? Do you have any documentation relating to his opinion? Was the picture then ever on public display?
4. Prof Kanter's opinion seems very similar to Berenson's. Has Kanter seen the picture?
Sorry your having problems with the website. When will you be able to show the cleaned/restored version on the website? Will you change the attribution?
Many thanks Johann
Dear Mary Burton,
Thank you very much for your enquiry. I can confirm that this work is now on public display in Gallery 2 of National Museum Cardiff. Please let me apologize for the incorrect information on the webpage stating that the painting is in storage; we are experiencing difficulties with the website which we are working hard to resolve. I hope that you will enjoy this very fine painting on your visit tomorrow.
Best wishes,
Marc
Digital Team