Madonna and Child between Two Angels, with a Kneeling Donor, His Wife and Child

This panel depicts the painting’s donor and his wife and child being presented to the Virgin Mary and Christ child. As frequently seen in medieval and early Renaissance paintings, the size of the figures is related to their spiritual rank. Thus, the Virgin Mary and Christ child are the largest because they are the most important. The angels are second in size, and the donor and his family, being mere mortals, are quite small. By spending a considerable sum on the materials and the artist’s time required for this painting, the donor hoped to demonstrate his devotion and piety, and thus help to secure a place in heaven for himself and his family.