Madonna and Christ Child with Saints

The polyptych, painted by Giampietrino perhaps during the late 1530s, is remarkably intact except for the lack of the original pinnacle and frame and is in good condition. The saints flanking the central panel with the Madonna and Christ Child are St. John the Baptist, St. Mary Magdalene, St. George and, properly identified in this Google text, St. Martha (the latter recognizable not only because of the dragon at her feet, but also thanks to the little pot she carries). Taking the backgrounds of the side panels into consideration, the two female saints were paired together in a contiguous angular space by the artist, while the two male saints were in individual rounded niches. Another panel depicting Christ in majesty, which once topped the central one, is displayed on the facing wall. Probably purchased by the brothers Fausto and Giuseppe at the end of the 19th century, the polyptych and the related panel are still displayed--as are all other objects in the museum--in their original places, thus contributing to the authentic "time capsule" ambiance.