Virgin and Child

Known as the Panciatichi Madonna, the marble relief derives its name from the fact that, prior to its arrival in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, the work was housed in a niche on the corner of the Palazzo Panciatichi. For a long time, the work was attributed to Donatello. Only in the late nineteenth century was it ascribed to Desiderio da Settignano. Desiderio was greatly influenced by the art of his contemporary, Donatello. This influence can be seen in the masterly use of the so-called shallow relief technique (rilievo schiacciato) and in the vitality of the emotions with which the artist portrays the gentle loving relationship between the Virgin and the Christ Child.