Madonna and Child with Saints Sebastian and Roch Attributed to Francesco Rizzo da Santacroce (active between 1507 and 1545), Venice

Madonna and Child with Saints Sebastian and Roch
Attributed to Francesco Rizzo da Santacroce (active between 1507 and 1545), Venice, first half of the 16th century. Technique: oil on wooden panel.

The painting depicts the Madonna at the center, holding the Christ Child in her arms, with Saint Sebastian to her left and Saint Roch to her right. Both saints, traditionally considered protectors against the plague, suggest a devotional intent connected to a prayer for protection from illness, especially relevant during the frequent outbreaks of the 16th century.

The scene is bathed in a very clear light, typical of Venetian Renaissance painting, with a skillful use of colors, particularly in the red of the Madonna’s mantle, which stands out against the natural landscape in the background. The Virgin’s face is characterized by an expression of tenderness and spiritual contemplation, while the Child is portrayed in a lively and dynamic pose.

The panel is particularly noteworthy for its solidity: it has not suffered any deformations, a sign of the careful craftsmanship. This is rare, as many wooden paintings of the time suffer from cracks or warping. The ultraviolet analysis revealed very few restorations, confirming an exceptional state of preservation, superior to the average for paintings of this era and school.

On the reverse, a cursive inscription mentions a nun, likely Franciscan.

Francesco Rizzo da Santacroce belonged to the Santacroce dynasty, a family of artists active in Renaissance Venice, whose patriarch, Girolamo da Santacroce, inherited the workshop of Giovanni Bellini, master of the Venetian school. Francesco is distinguished by his adherence to the style of Bellini’s followers, marked by compositional sweetness and a masterful use of chromatic tones. The influence of Bellini’s workshop is evident in the harmonious construction of the figures and the luminous, serene landscape in the background.