Beschreibung:

MADONNA DEL MAGNIFICAT, small roundel after Sandro BOTTICELLI ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM, [Florence, end 15th century early 16th century] 24mm diameter. Laid down on red velvet, framed. A meticulous and skilled copy of Botticelli's famous tondo of 1480/1, its tiny dimensions suggesting that it was probably cut from the border of a luxurious Book of Hours or prayerbook where it complemented the main miniature. Its quality and style suggests it was painted by an illuminator within the circle of Medici patronage such as Gherardo (1446-c.1497) and Monte di Giovanni (1448-1532/3). Interestingly the latter worked alongside Botticelli on the mosaics for the San Zanobi chapel of the Duomo in Florence, begun in 1491.