Attributed to Giorgio Vasari Arezzo 1511 - 1574 Florence

The present small painting on slate relates in composition to a fresco formerly in the Convent of Santa Margherita, Arezzo, but with some differences (see L. Corti, Vasari Catalogo Completo, Florence 1989, p. 46, cat. no. 27, illus.).  The figures of the Madonna and the man kneeling behind her (Saint Joseph?) correspond closely.  Vasari has added figures at the left as well as a group of small angels above.  A drawing in the Uffizi (inv.1274F) as well as one formerly in the Michel Gaud collection (see fig. 1) appear to be preparatory designs for that fresco.

It seems possible that the present painting is that mentioned by Vasari in a document of 1554: "Ricordo, come si fecie un quadretto piccolo in pietra, drentovi la nativita di Cristo, qual donai a Madonna Gostanza de Medici, moglie del conte Vgo et figliola de messer Ottaviano de Medici.  Valeva [ducati] 10. [I recall that I did a little painting on stone, of the birth of Christ, which I gave to milady Gostanza de Medici, wife of Count Hugo and daughter of milord Ottaviano de Medici.  It was worth 10 [ducats] (see G. Vasari, DEr Literarische Nachlass, K. Frey and H.W. Frey, ec., Munich 1930, vol. II, p. 871, no. 218)." The "Gostanza" in question would appear to be Costanza, wife of Ugo della Gherardesca.  She was the niece of Lucrezia Salviati (herself daughter of Lorenzo Magnifico and sister of Leo X).