Canvas, 104x87 cm + frame 8 cm., owned by the Cassa di Risparmio di Cesena, Inv. n. 209

This tempera on canvas seems smaller than the original dimension at least on three sides. It is traditionally believed to be part of a standard of the Monte di Piet…, founded in 1492.
The pigment of the colour applied to the canvas was worn to the point of highlighting the flat colours used to prime for the painting and the drawing of the contours.
Antonio Corbara attributes this work to a follower of Melozzo from the Romagna region and underlines the high quality where everything is accurate and precious, but with some outstanding details, like the quick and spontaneous drawing that outlines the figures and the loose and glossy tresses of St. John. Other details that Corbara pointed out to demonstrate the artist's hand are the parting of Christ's straight hair, his crown woven with a thick stem, the forked, curly goatee, and the same sinuous contour of the hips. For the Madonna, Corbara calls attention to the fortitude of feeling and the influence of the majestic altar pieces of Ercole Roberti. St. John's rapt expression of pain is also particular, or in any case stylised.
Below is a view of a city, identified as Faenza, but also with details reminiscent of Forl.