(active 1390–1420)
Triptych: The Madonna and Child with Saint Catherine and Saint John the Baptist surrounded by angels (central panel); Saint Amico of Rambona and the Angel Annunciate (left wing); Saint Christopher and the Virgin Annunciate (right wing),
tempera and gilding on panel, 52 x 53 cm (opened), 52 x 26 cm (central panel), each 51.5 x 13.5 cm (wings), pointed tops, the central panel with integral frame and wooden pedestal

Provenance:
Private European Collection

At the centre of this portable, foldable triptych are the Madonna and Child on a throne, flanked by four angels. Below are the figures of Saint Catherine of Alexandria with the wheel of martyrdom at her feet, and Saint John the Baptist. The figure on the left wing can be identified as Saint Amico of Rambona (or Saint Anthony the Abbott, although this is less likely on the grounds of the colour of his habit), whilst the right wing depicts Saint Christopher carrying the Child on his shoulders. In the cusps of the wings the Annunciation is depicted.

Miklòs Boskovits attributed this triptych to the Master of San Jacopo a Mucciana, an artistic personality first described by Richard Offner. The name used for this painter comes from a triptych dated 1 January 1398 (that is, 1399, according to the Florentine calendar) formerly in the Church of San Jacopo at Mucciana and now in the Museum of San Casciano in Val Pesa. Subsequently, more works were added to this one, especially as a result of the studies by Federico Zeri and Boskovits. Among these, on the grounds of their similarities with the present work, especially worth mentioning are a triptych and the central section of another triptych in the Musée du Petit Palais in Avignon, formerly in the Campana Collection.

On the basis of his refined execution and decorative style, the Master of San Jacopo a Mucciana was influenced by Agnolo Gaddi and his work is characterised by the creation of a series of triptychs intended for private devotion. His colour palette is bright and varied, paying attention to ornamental details. The present painting can be regarded as one the best works by this master.

We are grateful to Alessandro Tomei for confirming the attribution and for cataloguing this lot.