Madonna, an Angel and Little St John Adoring the Child (Madonna del sacco)

The attribution to Perugino goes back to the origin of the picture in the Medicean inventories. Modern criticism however consigns it at least in part to the school, and indeed in relation to other works of this master there is a definite weakness in several respects. It is nevertheless difficult to erase it entirely from the list of Perugino’s works, if only for the composition, so well balanced and tranquil, and for the atmosphere of suspended contemplation.