Madonna of Humility
Allegretto Nuzi·1360
Historical Context
Allegretto Nuzi's Madonna of Humility (c. 1360) at the Pinacoteca Civica Tacchi-Venturi exemplifies a devotional image type that emerged in the mid-fourteenth century and quickly became one of the most popular Marian subjects in Italian art. The Madonna of Humility shows the Virgin seated on the ground rather than on a throne, emphasizing her virtuous humility and accessibility to worshippers. Allegretto Nuzi was the leading painter of Fabriano in the Marches, developing a style that combined Sienese elegance with a gentle, approachable naturalism that influenced the young Gentile da Fabriano.
Technical Analysis
Tempera and gold on panel with the characteristic composition of the Madonna seated on a cushion on the ground, often nursing the Christ Child. Allegretto Nuzi's technique features soft modeling, warm coloring, and ornate gold decoration reflecting the Sienese-influenced aesthetic of the Marches school.
See It In Person
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Madonna and Child with Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Bartholomew and Saint Venantius
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Virgin and Child, with Saints Mary Magdalene, James Major, Stephen, and a Bishop Saint
Allegretto Nuzi·1346
Crucifixion with the Virgin Mary, St. John the Evangelist, and St. Mary Magdalene
Allegretto Nuzi·1365
The Crucifixion
Allegretto Nuzi·1350
