Enthroned Virgin and Child, with the Cardinal Virtues and Two Figures Holding Scrolls

Executed in 1491, this portrait exemplifies the portrait tradition that Bernat Martorell contributed to within the High Renaissance. Painted during the flourishing of the Early Renaissance, the work balances individual likeness with the idealized presentation expected by fifteenth-century patrons. The late fifteenth century saw the rise of great court cultures in Milan, Urbino, and Burgundy, whose princely patrons demanded art of the highest sophistication and learning.

Executed in Tempera on panel, the work showcases Bernat Martorell's skilled technique, with particular attention to the interplay of light across the sitter's features. The handling of drapery and accessories demonstrates the skill expected of formal portraiture.