RELIEF OF THE VIRGIN ADORING THE CHILD Italy, late 15th-early 16th century from an original by Desiderio da Settignano Relief in "rosso di Verona" marble 61 x 49 x 9 cm The Virgin is presented in bust form, seated, her head bowed and her gaze lowered the Child, sitting on her lap and wearing a short dress with a wide ribbon. with a wide ribbon. His right arm stretched forward, while the left one is bent towards the sky His right arm stretched forward, while his left arm is bent towards the sky, he is holding his mother's veil on either side. Both figures are encircled by the Christic halo decorated with stars represented by round cross-shaped cavities. This iconography refers to the image of the Virgin Mary in adoration before adoration before the Christ child and is probably inspired by an original by Desiderio original by Desiderio da Settignano from the Campana collection in the Louvre Campana collection (Fig.1). Some similar painted stucco works from the same period are inspired by this same work - a 15th century Florentine painted stucco panel by Neri di Bicci (1419-1492) and kept in the Pinacoteca Civica "Francesco Podesti", inv. 7 and a painted stucco panel also presented as a Workshop by Desiderio da Settignano (Fig. 2-3). The work presented here was carved in a block of rosso di Verona. Already used by the Romans, this non-metamorphic limestone specific to the Verona region was extracted in large quantities from quarries for the construction of buildings. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Verona stone continued to be used in the construction and decoration of large palazzi, churches (cf. relief of the Madonna and Child, Lombard School, 12th century, in the Victoria Albert Museum, inv. A.6-1913) and fortifications. The function of this relief can be considered as a three-dimensional icon, or as part of a larger architectural ensemble (church pulpit or architectural ensemble (church pulpit or chancel). RELIEF VIRGIN IN ADORATION OF THE CHILD Italy, 15th century, after Desiderio da Settignano Red of verona stone 61 x 49 x 9 cm The Virgin is presented in a bust, seated with her head bowed and her gaze lowered towards the Child, seated on her knees and wearing a short dress with a wide ribbon. His right arm stretched forward, while the left bent towards the sky, he holds back his mother's veil with both hands. The two figures are surrounded by the Christ halo decorated with stars represented by round cross-shaped cavities. This iconography refers to the image of the Virgin adoring the Christ as a child and is probably inspired by an original by Desiderio da Settignano in the Louvre museum from the Campana collection (leg 1). A few similar painted stucco works from the same period are inspired by this same work - a 15th century florentine painted stucco panel by Neri di Bicci (1419-1492) and kept at the Pinacoteca Civica "Francesco Podesti", inv. 7 and a painted stucco panel also presented as Workshop of Desiderio da Settignano (leg. 2-3). The work presented here was carved from a block of rosso di Verona. Already used by the Romans, this unmetamorphosed limestone specific to the Verona region was extracted in large quantities in quarries for the construction of buildings. During the Middle Ages and then in the Renaissance, Verona stone continued to be used in the construction and decoration of large palazzi and churches (cf. relief of the Virgin and Child, Lombard School, 12th century, preserved in the Victoria Albert Museum, inv. A.6-1913) and fortifications. The function of this relief can be considered as a three-dimensional icon, or as an element of a larger architectural ensemble (pulpit or chancel)