Lorenzo d'Alessandro di San Severino
The Madonna and Saint Anne

Circa 1490
Tempera and gold on wood panel
Pinacoteca Vaticana, Rome

This painting anticipates late- and post-sixteenth century images of St. Anne, which emphasize her age and tend to place her in the background behind other figures.

The Virgin Mary's robe and mantle are green with gold trim, something of a departure from the traditional blue. The inscription on her halo is mater dei memento mei, "Mother of God, remember me."

View this image in full resolution.
Read more about St. Anne.

Photographed at the museum by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.