ITALIAN, PROBABLY SIENESE, LATE 14TH OR EARLY 15TH CENTURY

This large scale yet tender portrayal of the Virgin and Christ child has previously been associated with the work of the sculptors Ramo di Paganello (active circa 1281-1320) and Agostino di Giovanni (active circa 1310-1347) both working in Siena (see Lorenzelli, loc. cit.). Comparison has also been made between the present lot and two sculptures of the Virgin Annunciate and the Angel Gabriel, dated 1369 and 1370 respectively, attributed to a later Sienese master Angelo di Nalduccio (active circa 1342-1389). While there are certainly similarities in facial type and drapery between the present lot and the Nalduccio works, this Virgin and Child group demonstrates a somewhat greater naturalism in the body type and in the interaction between the two figures, thus suggesting a dating slightly later than the Nalduccio figures.