"Madonna and Child", Francesco Botticini NFT on XRPL

"Madonna and Child", Francesco Botticini

Collection: Cleveland Originals

Francesco di Giovanni Botticini came from a family of painters. His father, Giovanni di Domenico, and his son, Raffaello, were also painters. Little is known of his life or career. He is believed to have apprenticed under Neri de Bicci. The earliest dated altarpiece by his hand is 1471 (now in the Musée Jacquemart-André, Paris). Artist Bio: Francesco Botticini: A Life Dedicated to Art in Renaissance Florence Early Life and Training (1446 - 1475) Born in Florence in 1446, Francesco Botticini likely received his initial artistic training from his father, Giovanni di Domenico di Piero, a painter of playing cards. By 1459, at the young age of 13, he was already a salaried assistant in the workshop of Neri di Bicci, a prominent Florentine painter. Although not documented, Botticini is believed to have come into contact with the renowned workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio, where he would have encountered future artistic giants like Leonardo da Vinci, Lorenzo di Credi, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Pietro Perugino. By 1469, Botticini established his own workshop, showcasing his growing independence and artistic vision. He maintained a close relationship with his father, who oversaw his working contracts until 1475, when Botticini successfully filed for emancipation. Maturity and Artistic Achievements (1475 - 1498) This period witnessed the development of Botticini's distinct artistic style, characterized by graceful figures, soft modeling, and meticulous attention to detail. His most celebrated work, the large-scale "Assumption of the Virgin" (1475-1477) at the National Gallery, London, exemplifies this emerging style. Originally misattributed to Botticelli, the painting has been definitively linked to Botticini since the early 20th century. Commissioned by the poet Matteo Palmieri, the altarpiece features an unusual composition with the Virgin's ascent into heaven surrounded by angels and saints, while the background offers a glimpse of Florence and the Arno valley. Notably, the painting was believed to reflect heretical ideas due to its connection to Palmieri's poem and the figures of the donors being scratched out later. Throughout the 1480s, Botticini continued to receive important commissions in Florence and nearby towns. Examples include the large tabernacles for the Collegiata Church of Sant'Andrew in Empoli, particularly the "Tabernacle of the Sacrament" completed by 1491. He also gained recognition for his numerous devotional panels depicting religious subjects for private homes, with a particular fondness for "tondi" featuring the Virgin and Child with the young Saint John the Baptist. In 1488, Botticini painted the "Pietà with Four Saints" for the Confraternity of San Domenico del Giglio at Santa Maria Novella, Florence. Late Works and Legacy (1490 - 1498) The final decade of Botticini's career saw him continue to produce significant works, including the "Madonna and Child in Glory with Saints Mary Magdalen and Bernard" (c. 1490) and the "Madonna and Child with Two Angels and Saints Benedict, Francis, Sylvester and Anthony Abbot" (1493). His most ambitious late altarpiece, the "Saint Jerome with Saints and Angels" (mid-1490s), stands out for its imposing presence and unique composition featuring Saint Jerome framed within the central panel. This work is currently housed at the National Gallery in London. Botticini's final years were marked by a prolific artistic output, with commissions like the "Madonna and Child with Saint Francis, the Archangel Raphael and the Young Tobias" (1495). He passed away in Florence in 1498 at the age of 51. His workshop was inherited by his son, Raffaello Botticini, who continued his artistic legacy. Beyond the Documented In addition to the documented works, a considerable number of paintings have been attributed to Botticini based on stylistic similarities. These include altarpieces, smaller religious panels, and portraits. The National Gallery, London, held a special exhibition titled "Visions of Paradise: Botticini's Palmieri Altarpiece" in 2015, highlighting the significance of his masterpiece. Botticini's works have also appeared on the art market, with prices ranging from $7,200 to $754,765 USD, with the latter being the record price for "The Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist in a Landscape" sold at Sotheby's London in 2013. An interesting anecdote from the 20th century involves Esquire Magazine's use of Botticini's "Saint Sebastian" for a cover photo featuring Muhammad Ali in 1968. The image aimed to draw a parallel between the persecution faced by the saint and Ali's situation at the time.

Issuer: rLzncbwKysPuA9FvrocUKBZUbQGiBBPNk3

Taxon: 2

• technique : tempera on poplar panel
• culture : Italy, Florence, 15th century
• creation date : 1475\1480
• artist: Francesco Botticini
• px: 2340 x 3400

NFTokenID: 00081770DB35F371D4D6B9E351DA0CF20D4EBF5F49F78DB96EDE364B042C1EAE

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