Giovanni Cimabue

Florentine School. Cimabue is generally regarded as the founder of modern painting, though his traditional claims, based principally on the famous Rucellai Madonna in the Church of Santa Maria Novella, Florence, have of late years been questioned by the critics.

LONDON, NATIONAL GALLERY.

THE MADONNA AND CHILD ENTHRONED, ANGELS ADORING. With a gable top. The Virgin, life-size, seated on a throne, the Child on her left knee. Behind the throne on each side are three small angels in adoration.

Described by Vasari as having been attached to a pilaster in the choir of the Church of Santa Croce at Florence. In the seventeenth century it was removed to the Convent of Santa Croce, where it remained until it came into the Lombardi-Bardi Collection, Florence, whence it was purchased in 1857,

Now catalogued as "Ascribed to Cimabue-possibly a work of the School of Duccio."

PARIS, LOUVRE

THE MADONNA AND ANGELS On a background of plain gold. The Virgin, larger than life, is seated on a throne, turned slightly to the right, holding the Child on her knees, whose hand is raised in benediction. On each side are symmetrically ranged three angels, whose robes and wings are of many colours.

Painted for the Church of San Francesco at Pisa.

FLORENCE, ACADEMY

THE MADONNA WITH ANGELS On a gold ground. The Virgin, larger than life, in a red gown and blue mantle, is seated on a throne, slightly turned to right, holding the Child, who is in a red tunic and yellow mantle, on her knees. Eight angels rest on the back of the throne. Below, under three arches, are four halflength figures of prophets holding scrolls inscribed with praises of the Virgin.

Painted for the high altar of Santa Trinita, Florence.