Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints

This very large altarpiece from Pesaro is the masterpiece of the Bolognese artist. It is almost square in format and was painted for the Franciscan church of San Giovanni Evangelista. It is a Sacra Conversazione, its compositional scheme places saints in a way that causes them to surround or flank a central group. Here Sts Francis and Paul stand to the left and right of Mary’s throne, with huge figures of John the Baptist and Jerome at the far left and right. Mary extends an apple to Jesus, affirming their roles as new Adam and Eve for humanity’s salvation.