Dorothy in right-hand panel holds lilies and basket of flowers

Annunciatory Angel and St. Michael, Virgin Annunciante, and St. Dorothy

Artist: Giovanni di Marco (center panel); Giovanni dal Ponte (side panels)

Year: 1385-1437/1438

VM number: 0080

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Description: Tryptych altarpiece; Mary with Jesus in lap, on throne; saints and angels on side panels; Dorothy is depicted on right-hand panel holding lilies and a basket of flowers and fruit, typical of her iconography. 

Art Commentary: This panel contains images from different centuries. The original center panel of the Madonna and Child surrounded by saints (notably all holding books signifying literacy) was painted by Lorenzo Monaco in the 1300s. The panels on either side were added later and painted decades later by Giovanni dal Ponte in the 1400s.

Lower Right Panel:
On the lower right panel St. Dorothy is portrayed. She holds lilies in her right hand symbolizing purity and rebirth. In her right hand she holds a basket of flowers (and possibly fruit), and her golden hair is adorned with a wreath of golden roses. She is portrayed with a golden nimbus also signifying her martyrdom. The basket refers to the basket of fruit and flowers carried by a small child who appeared to Dorothy on the way to her execution. She instructed the boy to bring it to the pagan Theophilus who had sarcastically shouted at Dorothy to bring him back roses and apples from her “bridegroom in Paradise.” After Dorothy’s death, the boy brought the basket to Theophilus who subsequently converted to Christianity and was himself martyred for the faith.

Lower left panel:
On the lower left panel is St. Michael, the archangel who is often described as the head of the Lord’s heavenly armies. He is shown here defeating Satan who bears the image of a dragon in an apocalyptic scene. While the dragon image is also associated with St. George, a military saint from the middle ages, St. Michael is usually portrayed defeating the dragon on foot, while St. George is portrayed on horseback. St. Michael is also winged and uses a flaming sword.

The top left and right panels depict the annunciation, with the angel Gabriel on the left holding lilies symbolizing the virginity of Mary, and Mary on the right receiving the news. Mary holds a book noting literacy, and on her blue clothing is a star evoking eternity.