ARTWORKS

Virgin and Child between Saint Helena and Saint Francis

Amico Aspertini (1475–1552)

National Museum Cardiff

Virgin and Child between Saint Helena and Saint Francis

Image credit: Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

After studying Roman antiquities Aspertini returned to Bologna. His expressive style rejected the classicism of Raphael. This small altarpiece of about 1520 includes the Virgin and St Joseph on the flight into Egypt in the background. At the bottom stone-coloured figures depict Moses and the Golden Calf, the Virgin and Child, and Josiah destroying the false altars. These events and the presence of St Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine and famous for her adoration of the Cross on which Christ was crucified, indicate that the principal theme is the triumph of Christianity over paganism. The Child wears a red coral necklace, an Italian charm against the Evil Eye. Beneath his foot is a crystal sphere with God creating Adam. This work was in the collection of William Roscoe in Liverpool by 1816, where the painter Henry Fuseli attributed it to Ghirlandaio and Michelangelo.

National Museum Cardiff

Read more on National Museum Cardiff
Title

Virgin and Child between Saint Helena and Saint Francis

Date

c.1520

Medium

oil on poplar panel

Measurements

H 85.5 x W 71.1 cm

Accession number

NMW A 239

Acquisition method

purchased from Matthiesen Fine Art Ltd, 1986

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Learn more Tag this

National Museum Cardiff

Cathays Park, Cardiff (Caerdydd) CF10 3NP Wales

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue

Artist or maker

Amico Aspertini

1475–1552

View profile
  • The Young Christ Preaching in the Temple – Virgin with the Christ Child
    The Young Christ Preaching in the Temple – Virgin with the Christ Child The Fitzwilliam Museum
  • Two Designs for Ornamental Vases
    Two Designs for Ornamental Vases The Fitzwilliam Museum
  • Study after an Antique Relief
    Study after an Antique Relief The Fitzwilliam Museum
  • Virgin and Child between Saint Helena and Saint Francis
    Virgin and Child between Saint Helena and Saint Francis National Museum Cardiff
  • The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
    The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist The Fitzwilliam Museum

Topics

Stories