Wood, 240X132 cm + frame 3 cm, Inv. n. 144

The Madonna is portrayed in the centre under a large vault, seated with the naked Child in her arms surrounded by five saints: from above left, St. Paul with a book in his hand, St. Peter holding keys, and St. Luke leaning on an ox, his emblem; kneeling, to the right, below the Virgin and Child, is St. Dominic accompanied by a dog, symbol of faith and of the Dominicans (from the Latin, Domines cani), while below him is St. Mark with the lion, his emblem.
Antonio di Mazzone is an artist who hails from the area of Faenza, but worked above all in the region of the Marches. He was a painter and architect, attributes which are evident in his paintings, where all the subjects are set in solemn architectural spaces. When he returned to Faenza, he worked for the Dominicans, creating this altar piece, which was installed on the altar of the convent dormitory. This painting became a part of the Pinacoteca of Faenza collection following the Napoleonic suppression.
Antonio di Mazzone was commissioned by the city of Faenza to build the new bell tower of the Cathedral, which however was never completed in that the artist died under the rubble of the same.