The Rucellai Madonna

Commissioned on April 15th, 1285, by the rectors of the Company of the Virgin (or of the Laudesi) for their altar in the church of Santa Maria Novella, the painting was then moved to the right transept and then, in the late 17th century, to the chapel of the Rucellai family. Removed from the church in 1937, it was exhibited in the Uffizi in 1948. In the original frame there are painted decorative motifs in alternating bands and discs depicting saints (among whom Peter the Martyr, the founder of the Laudesi.)