2-999-794 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Madonna and Child with Saints, c1510-1515. This grouping of the Virgin and Child with saints (Mary Magdalen, Jerome, an unidentified male saint, and Sebastian) is known as a "sacra conversazione" (sacred conversation), since the figures appear in a unified space that would allow them to speak to each other. This format is usually associated with altarpieces though in northern Italy it often appeared as here, with the figures at half-length and close to the viewer. A brocade drapery hangs behind Mary and Jesus to mark their status as King and Queen of Heaven. The lamb held by the Christ Child is a reference to his nickname, the "Lamb of God," and is a symbol of his future sacrifice.