Madonna and Child with Sts Severino and Dominic

Bernardino di Mariotto's Madonna and Child with Saints Severino and Dominic, dated 1512 and now at the Pinacoteca Vaticana, demonstrates the persistence of the Umbrian devotional painting tradition in the years following Perugino's dominance of the region. Bernardino di Mariotto was active primarily in San Severino Marche and the inclusion of Saint Severino, patron saint of the town, alongside Saint Dominic suggests a commission from a Dominican confraternity or church there. The Vatican Pinacoteca's holding illustrates the church's practice of centralising regional Italian devotional painting from suppressed religious institutions. The painting shows Umbrian elegance of line and tenderness of expression at a moment when the tradition was beginning to respond, however modestly, to the innovations of Rome and Florence.

The sacra conversazione arrangement is calm and frontal with the Madonna enthroned and the saints placed symmetrically beside her. Umbrian softness of modelling and gentle expressions characterise the figures. Colour is clear and harmonious. The Christ child displays the animated naturalism common in central Italian High Renaissance Madonnas. Gold and architectural details frame the sacred group with modest dignity.