end 13th-early 14th century
Madonna and Child and Two Angels, with Twelve Scenes from the Passion
ca. 1310
Tempera on panel
26-1/2 x 70-5/8 in.

In medieval art, paintings were usually part of a larger work, for example, a mural painted on a church or monastery wall. During the thirteenth century, individual wood panels that illustrated church doctrine and dramatized the significance of the Mass began to appear in Florence, Siena, and other Italian towns.

The central image of this panel, depicting the Madonna and Child, was among the last works by an artist known as the Magdalene Master or by his workshop. The style of this image differs from the style of the twelve scenes of the Passion on either side, which were painted by an unknown Florentine artist.

Perhaps two artists of different generations collaborated on the work from the beginning, or one artist completed the painting after the death of the other.