Virgin and Child with a Papal Saint and Saint Dominic

Princes Gate bequest, 1978

The Virgin Mary and Christ Child sit on a wide throne and are surrounded by two saints: an unidentified pope and Saint Dominic, who holds a book and a lily. Seemingly plucked from the floral background, the pure white lily symbolises Dominic’s chastity.

Evidence of a hinge — now concealed by the frame — suggests that this work was once the left panel of a folding diptych, or pair of paintings.

Its size meant it could travel with its owner, who would have opened it like a book when praying.