The Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John the Baptist

'Tommaso' worked either in the workshop or in the close circle of Lorenzo di Credi (1457-1536) whose influence is evident in this panel. Although this artist has distinct characteristics from other Florentine painters close to Lorenzo di Credi and influenced by Piero di Cosimo, there continues to be some debate as to his true identity. In 1932 Degenhart suggested that 'Tommaso' might be identified as Antonio Ceraiuolo who Vasari mentions as a pupil of di Credi (B. Degenhart, 'Die Schle des Lorenzo di Credi', Mnchner Jahrbuch fr Kunstgeschichte, 1932, pp. 129-37). Berenson suggested that he might possibly be Giovanni Cianfanini (1462-1542) who worked both with Botticelli and later in the workshop of Lorenzo di Credi (B. Berenson, Italian Pictures of the Renaissance, Florentine Schools, 1963, I, pp. 207-8). Today 'Tommaso' is identified as either the Master of the Czsartoryski Tondo or the Master of the Sacra Conversazione in the church of the Santo Spirito, Florence.

We are grateful to Mr. Everett Fahy for suggesting the attribution after having seen the painting in person.