Madonna and Child between Saint John and a sainted abbess (probably Saint Catherine of Alexandria)

Art Historical Context

This delicate enameled glass roundel, crafted in 16th-century Venice (Murano), captures a tender religious scene: the Madonna and enthroned between Saint John Baptist and the sainted abbess, Saint Catherine of Alexandria.anked by angels and symbolic elements like the cross, the circular composition—measuring just 2 5/8 inches in diameter—invites intimate contemplation. Produced on the island of Murano, famed for its glass workshops since the 13th century, this exemplifies Venetian innovation in decorative arts. Enameled glass, a prized technique of the Renaissance, involved applying finely gr...