African

Ancient Mediterranean

Asian

European and American

Art since 1900

European and American Art

This small painting is the modello for an altarpiece in the church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence. Like an architectural model, a modello is a small version made by the artist to be approved by the client before beginning work on a large scale.

Naldini's painting is typical of the late Renaissance style known as Mannerism. In contrast to the primary colors and easily readable grouping of figures in Dossi's Holy Family, Naldini uses a subtle color scheme of secondary and tertiary colors, and creates an ambiguous multi-level space. The subject of the picture is the group at the center of the painting, where the Virgin Mary hands the infant Jesus to the old priest Simeon. But this central group is surrounded by a wreath of secondary figures whose purpose is primarily ornamental. With self-conscious artistry Naldini shows off his command of the human figure in a complex variety of poses.

Conservation of this painting was made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum Services, an agency of the Federal Government.