Madonna of Humility

Bartolommeo Bulgarini

c. 1353

tempera on panel

Rijksmuseum

Guild regulations in Siena were less strict than in Florence, so artists there had more scope for innova-tion. The ‘Madonna of Humility’ (Madonna dell’umilità) was a new theme introduced by Sienese artists in the early 14th century. It stressed the Virgin’s humility by showing her seated or kneeling on the floor beside the Christ Child. Here Jesus interrupts her from her reading.