Attributed to Smeraldo di Giovanni – Madonna of the Rose

The Madonna of the Rose with the Christ Child Enthroned between Saint John the Baptist and Saint Lawrence, attributed to Smeraldo di Giovanni, is a 15th-century Florentine panel painting.

At the centre of the composition, the Virgin is seated on a throne holding the Christ Child and a rose, from which the painting takes its title. Saint John the Baptist and Saint Lawrence stand on either side of the central group.

The gold ground, the richly patterned textile surrounding the throne and the refined treatment of the garments retain elements associated with the International Gothic tradition. At the same time, the greater physical presence of the figures and the organisation of the composition reflect the transformation taking place in Florentine painting during the early decades of the 15th century.

Smeraldo di Giovanni (1366–1444) was active in Florence and collaborated with Giovanni di Marco, known as Giovanni dal Ponte. Their work is documented in the Scali Chapel in the Basilica of Santa Trinita in Florence, where payments for the fresco decoration are recorded between 1434 and 1435.

 This painting attributed to Smeraldo di Giovanni is accompanied by a historical-critical report by Professor Claudio Strinati, available upon request.