Madonna Enthroned, with the Child, St John, the Archangel Michael, St Francis, St Lucia, St Joseph
- Date
- c. 1616
- Object type
- painting
- Technique
- oil
- Material
- copper
- Dimensions
- 39,5 x 30,5 cm
- Acquisition date
- 1781
- Location
- The Palace on the Isle - Picture Gallery, ground floor
- Place of Origin
- Bologna (Italy)
- Owner
- The Royal Łazienki
- Museum number
- ŁKr 949
In the catalogue of the Stanisław August collection, the painting was originally valued at 12 ducats and in 1795 at 35 ducats; this reflects the relatively low market value of 16th-century Italian paintings among 18th-century collectors. It was listed as being by Annibale Carracci or his school, which may seem surprising since the correspondence concerning the acquisition and transport of the painting mentions a ‘painting on copper’ by Ludovico ... .
It is evident from archival research carried out by Ewa Manikowska (2007), that Stanisław August acquired the painting in 1781 as a gift from the Marquess Cesary Giuseppe Zagnoni of Bologna, on the occasion of the Marquess’ endeavours to be awarded a Polish order (most probably the Order of the White Eagle). The correspondence on this matter lasted from December 1780 to 18 March 1781; it mentioned a small religious painting on copper by Ludovico Carracci … ; its dispatch to Warsaw was delayed. The painting was not received very warmly (See E. Manikowska, Sztuka – Ceremoniał – Informacja. Studium wokół królewskich kolekcji Stanisława Augusta, Warszawa 2007, p. 70). Zagnoni received a letter of thanks from the king’s secretary, Gaetano Ghigiotti, which was more a diplomatic courtesy than a sincere expression of gratitude. [See D. Juszczak, H. Małachowicz, The Stanisław August Collection of Paintings at the Royal Łazienki. Catalogue, Royal Łazienki Museum, Warsaw 2016, no. 26, p. 126.]