Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saint Michael and Saint John the Baptist

The Master of the Arcetri Altarpiece's Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints Michael and John the Baptist, painted around 1455 and now in the Courtauld Gallery in London, is named after this panel itself — the work that defines the anonymous master's artistic identity. The sacra conversazione format, with the enthroned Virgin flanked by saints who exist in a shared devotional space rather than separated Gothic compartments, was a Renaissance compositional innovation that created the impression of sacred dialogue and community.

Tempera on panel with the elegant, refined handling that gives this anonymous master his distinctive identity. The enthroned Virgin is centrally placed in a formal, elevated position, with Saints Michael in armor and the Baptist in camel hair flanking her symmetrically.