Tabernacle of the Madonna delle Tosse: Maria lactans (detail) 1484

This detail from Benozzo Gozzoli's "Tabernacle of the Madonna delle Tosse" depicts the Virgin Mary breastfeeding the Christ Child, a devotional theme known as *Maria lactans*, surrounded by various saints. Gozzoli, a prominent Florentine artist, was active during the Early Renaissance and is recognized for his fresco cycles and devotional works. The panel showcases Gozzoli's mastery of detail, particularly in the rendering of the figures' drapery and facial expressions. The scene, with its rich color palette and balanced composition, invites viewers to contemplate the tenderness and divinity of the Virgin and Child.