Madonna Enthroned with the Infant Christ and Saints

The panel is signed at the center bottom, “ANTHONATIUS ROMANUS”, while the carved pilaster to the right of the throne bears the date 1487 (in Roman numerals). The Madonna is flanked by St Paul and St Francis.

The picture, which has suffered from numerous restorations, was originally on the high altar of the church of San Paolo in Poggio Nativo. Iconographically, it is an example of the most traditional altarpiece format. In terms of style this piece locates Antoniazzo between the Melozzo da Forli and the Umbrian school, two influences that summarize the basic currents of Antoniazzo’s pictorial culture.