Description
The Virgin and Child Enthroned painting by Paolo Di Giovanni Fei is a stunning work of art depicting the Virgin Mary and Child Jesus seated on a throne. Fei's artistic style can be described as late Gothic, as the painting was created in the 15th century and features elements characteristic of this period.
The composition of the painting is very interesting, since the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus are placed in the center of the work, with angels on either side. Angels hold a crown over the Virgin's head, suggesting her role as queen of heaven. In addition, the throne on which the Virgin and Child sit is decorated with beautiful gold and red details, giving it a majestic and regal appearance.
Color wise, the painting features a rich and vibrant color palette, with gold, red and blue tones. These colors are used to highlight the importance of the Virgin Mary and her role in the Christian religion.
The history of the painting is very interesting, as it is believed to have been created for the Bardi family chapel in the church of Santa Croce in Florence. The artwork is considered one of Fei's best creations and has been admired by many art experts over the years.
Lastly, a little known aspect of the painting is that it is believed to have been created as a devotional work of art, intended to be placed in a home or private chapel. This is because the painting is relatively small in size, suggesting that it was created to be viewed up close and to inspire devotion and prayer.