The Madonna and Child

An inscription in gold on the lower side of the panel gives the name of the painter, Barnaba da Modena, and the date, which is unfortunately only partially legible. The master, who was born in Modena but who moved to Genoa, is known to have been active from the 1360s to the 1380s. He worked mainly for the Franciscan and Dominican orders in Piedmont, Tuscany, and Liguria. Some elements that often recur in his works, such as the way the figures look towards the worshipper with calm intentness, the pendant with red coral – which was considered a good-luck charm to ward off infant diseases – and the lively position of the Child, who in this case is playing with his foot, attracts the attention and encourages the participation of the faithful.