Wood, 173x170 cm + frame 9 cm, Inv. n. 143

The Madonna is portrayed in the centre, seated on a throne while the naked Infant in her arms is pointing at Saint Catherine.
To the right, standing, there are St. Paul, St. John the Baptist, St. Benedict, and St. Sebastian.
In the foreground, at the feet of the step of the throne are St. Catherine in a red and blue cape to the left; St. Apollonia in a green cape and violet gown to the right.
The work comes from the Foundling Hospital annexed to the Church of St. Mary in Faenza, probably originally installed in the church or in the oratory of the institute.
Little is known of Sigismondo Foschi: his dates of birth or death are unknown, and there is reference to him beginning only in 1520, the year during which he was commissioned to paint a panel for the Church of St. Francis in Faenza. Most likely, Foschi was a pupil or in any case a follower of Fra' Bartolomeo and Andrea del Sarto.