Madonna and Child with Saints Anne and Joachim
The altarpiece of Francesco Melanzio presents in a composition of majestic simplicity the Madonna with Child enthroned by her parents, Saints Joachim and Anne, and by two angels. It was documented in the sacristy of San Francesco in the 18th century.
The painting is subdivided into two spheres: the terrestrial sphere composed of the two saints and the celestial sphere composed of the two angels.
The restoration of the altarpiece was done in the Laboratory of Painting Restoration of the Vatican Museums brought on by Monsignor Giovanni Cecchini, helped by Laura Baldelli and Alessandra Zarelli. The finished piece now hangs in the chapel of the Governatorato in the Vatican Palace and was blessed by his Holiness Pope Benedict in May of 2007.
