Madonna of Senigallia



1470 - Panel, 61 x 53,5 cm - Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, Urbino

This painting was originally placed in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Urbino, and is quite different from Piero's previous production. The faces still have a detached look and an expression of superior wisdom mixed with a feeling of precious and exotic beauty. This is one of the paintings that clearly show the artist's interest in light, expressed in the reflections as well as in the magic transparency effects. The Virgin's veil, painted with subtle light variations, the Child's coral necklace and the Angels' shining pearls create effects that, combined with the light that penetrates through the window, form a neat spot on the back wall that was to be seen for a long time in the tradition of German painters of the 17th century. The blonde hair of the Angel on the left is lighted by the reflections from behind which give it a natural golden tinge.