Madonna and Child with Two Angels

Francesco di Giorgio Martini was a multifaceted artist who embodied the spirit of Renaissance Humanism: an architect, sculpture, miniatur and painter. He preferred to work as an architect and a designer of forfications, as in his work at Urbino, and he collaborated on the building of Siena cathedral. He also wrote a treatise on civil and military architecture.

His painted oeuvre is sporadic, and employs a soft and delicate style which may recall Botticelli, although some experts have seen the influence of Verrocchio in the lightness, grace and elegance of the poses, together with the high degree of finish.