Virgin and Child Blessing a Kneeling Donor, with Four Saints

Attributed to Marco Bello, a member of Bellini's prolific Venetian workshop, this painting was likely based on different models developed by the master. This would account for the lack of consistency in scale and placement in space of the beautifully conceived figures. The saints depicted include (left to right) Paul, George, an unidentified female saint, and an unidentified martyr, perhaps St. Cecilia, with a wreath and palm. The devotional subject and presence of a donor portrait indicate that this was a private commission.