Virgin and Child with Sts Francis and Cosmas

The altar was commissioned by Francesco Sassetti for a private church at Varramista (Palaia) near Pisa on the occasion of the birth of his son, Cosimo. The corner pilasters of the predella bear the family coat of arms. The main panel shows a sacra conversazione: two standing saints flank a Madonna seated on clouds. To the left and right of Mary’s head, two angels at either side are appearing from clouds. The three reliefs on the predella relate thematically to the figures above them in the main panel: on the left St. Francis is receiving the stigmata, in the middle Mary and Joseph are kneeling in adoration before the Christ Child, and on the right a figure with an apothecary’s jar and a martyr’s palm – probably St. Cosmas– is being beheaded. Cosmas was put to death during the persecution of the Christians under Diocletian.