Saint Babila, Saint Ambrose, Madonna with Child, Saint Benedict and Saint Dionysius

Notable among the sculptors active in Milan in the 14th century
was the figure of Giovanni di Balduccio from Pisa who, having trained in his
home town and worked in various places in Tuscany, Liguria and Emilia, settled
around 1335 in Milan, where he worked until 1349, probable year of his death. On his arrival in Milan, the artist was
involved in a series of important projects that were to have important
influences on the language of local sculptors, originating from Campione, who
were active in the city. From
this moment on, the trend was towards more elegant and sophisticated forms,
reaching a sort of compromise between traditional, local rigour and the refined
interpretation of the Gothic style, expressed in supple rhythms. Unfortunately not many works by the Pisan
artist remain, only partial reconstructions and fragments, including numerous
elements of statuary groups destined to adorn the external fronts of Milan city
gates (Porta Ticinese, Porta Orientale and Porta Comasina). Although damaged,
the sculptural group of Porta Ticinese is still intact and was transferred to
the Museum in 1962, its place being taken by a copy. Each group, like this example, was
conceived as a "Sacred Conversation", with a Madonna and Child in the
centre flanked by Saint Ambrose, patron saint of the city, kneeling, in the act
of offering the Virgin a model of the city neighbourhood on the other side of
the gate.