Attributed to Perugino – Virgin and Child accompanied by two angels, Saint Rose and Saint Catherine of Alexandria Part 3 Louvre

The composition presents a devotional scene within a circular format, immediately establishing a sense of completeness and containment. Here we see a seated figure, presumably a Virgin Mary, centrally positioned upon an ornate, patterned bench. She holds a small child in her lap, who gazes directly outward with an expression of serene innocence. Flanking the central figures are two angelic beings and what appear to be female saints, each rendered with individualized features and gestures.
The artist employed a restrained palette dominated by blues, reds, greens, and golds, contributing to a feeling of solemnity and grace. The Virgin’s blue robe is richly textured, contrasting with the red garment worn by the figure beside her, creating visual interest and emphasizing their relative importance within the group. The angels are draped in flowing robes that suggest movement despite their static poses.
The landscape backdrop is rendered with a delicate atmospheric perspective; distant mountains fade into a hazy sky, suggesting depth while maintaining focus on the figures in the foreground. A small cluster of flowers held by one of the female figures introduces a subtle element of natural beauty and symbolic purity. The saints’ attire – a combination of robes and more revealing garments – hints at their individual stories and roles within the religious narrative.
The arrangement of the figures suggests a hierarchical structure, with the Virgin and Child as the focal point, surrounded by celestial and saintly attendants. Their gazes are directed outward, inviting contemplation and devotion from the viewer. The circular format reinforces this sense of inward focus, creating a microcosm of divine grace.
Subtleties in the rendering of facial expressions – the slight smile on the child’s face, the gentle gaze of the Virgin – imply a profound emotional depth. The overall effect is one of quiet dignity and spiritual contemplation, characteristic of devotional art intended to inspire piety and reverence.