Holy Conversation (the Virgin and Child, Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint John the Evangelist, an unknown female saint, Saint Joseph (?), and the donor)

In the Venetain painting of the turn of the 15th century no other theme than the Holy Conversation enjoyed greater popularity. All the foremost masters working in the lagoon city - be it Cima da onegliano or Giovanni Bellini - explored the subject of the Virgin and Child surrounded by both female and male saints many a time. The renowned Venetian masters were followed by Pasqualino Veneto. The centre of the composition is assumed by the Virgin with naked Christ Child standing on her lap. The Child is turned to the donor, who is depicted in a supplicant pose at bottom right. The subsequent history of this impressive painting is also interesting. In the Baroque period, the donor was in fact excluded from the company of the saints, or rather, he was overpainted. The figure of the donor gradually fell into oblivion; the then owner obviously objected to his presence in the painting. It was only after an extensive restoration, during which all the overpaintings were removed, that the donor was able “to return” to the panel.