Madonna and Child with Saints Francis and Catherine of Siena

In the pictureOn the gold ground of a round-topped panel, Mary in a blue mantle holds the naked Child. On the left stands Francis in a brown habit, and on the right Catherine in a white veil and black mantle. The Child raises his hand in blessing, and a Latin inscription is incised along the arch at the top.

BackgroundCatherine was a 14th-century Sienese nun, famous for persuading the pope to return to Rome. When she was declared a saint in 1461, the painters of her native Siena rushed to depict her, and this picture dates from around that time. Matteo di Giovanni was the most popular painter in Siena in his day, known for crisp outlines and solid forms.

Puzzle tipBecause the panel is arched, the curved pieces at the top act as the border. Fit the three faces and the Child's body first, then tell left from right by the brown habit on the left and the black mantle on the right. Among the gold pieces, start with those at the top carrying the inscription and those with halo patterns.