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Cesare da Sesto, Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist and Saint George, ca. 1513–1515
Oil on panel transferred to hardboard, 100 1/4 x 81 in. (254.6 x 205.7 cm). Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, 61.44.15
Cesare painted this monumental altarpiece for the oratory of San Giorgio, a sanctuary administered by Genoese expatriates in Messina, Sicily. At center, the Virgin Mary and Christ Child sit on the steps of a classical ruin. They are flanked by the patron saints of Genoa: John the Baptist, who directs our attention to the infant Christ, and St. George, whose banner, adorned with a cross, served as the flag of the Genoese Republic. Above this group, in a charming detail, a cherub struggles to arrange a cloth of honor behind the holy figures. If the painting’s subject is Genoese, its points of reference are multi-regional. Cesare’s sfumato (hazy) handling of flesh tones adheres to a technique recently invented by Leonardo da Vinci in Milan. Fictive relief sculptures set into the ruin (Apollo and the Muses beneath the Virgin’s feet, the Judgment of Solomon at upper right) echo recent frescoes painted by Raphael in Rome. Combining the best of various regional styles, Cesare created a new artistic landmark for Messina, a cosmopolitan city at the crossroads of the Mediterranean.
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de Young & Legion of Honor ART on Demand offers exclusive custom reproductions of artworks in the collections and exhibitions of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Hand-made in the USA using gallery-quality materials, we create prints as true to the original work as possible, using strict color management protocols and state-of-the-art printing technology.Selection
Many of the works offered through this store are exclusive and not available anywhere else. We are continually adding new artworks to our offering, so be sure to check back regularly as you build your own gallery. A variety of molding styles means our custom framed prints can match any type of decor.Ordering & Return Policy
All ART on Demand items are custom-made for each order. Please allow 10-14 days for production time. You will receive shipping confimation and tracking upon shipment. Due to the custom nature of these items they are non-returnable.