The story of the still-controversial painting Madonna and Child, St. John the Baptist, and Six Saints becomes the focus of an exhibition that showcases the fascinating discovery of Andrea Mantegna’s unmistakable imprint on the painting. Following an extensive restoration process, the artwork is now on display in the Quadreria of the Museo Correr, accompanied by a rich array of visual aids—panels and touch-screen monitors—that retrace the captivating story of its attribution. These resources highlight the most compelling findings from the restoration and analysis, offering a deep dive into Renaissance painting as well as the history of the Gonzaga court in Mantua during the late 15th century, particularly Isabella d’Este, who is thought to have commissioned the piece. The painting, small in size (38cm x 44.5cm) and partially unfinished, remained in the Museo Correr’s storage for a long time. It entered Teodoro Correr’s collection between the 18th and 19th centuries and had suffered from overpainting and later alterations that significantly obscured its original state. Nevertheless, faint but significant “clues of value” in its pictorial and compositional quality, with exquisitely executed details, remained visible. The extensive restoration and research conducted by Milena Dean, supported by the G.E. Ghirardi Foundation, revealed the painting’s exceptional refinement, unmistakably displaying the creative touch of one of the Renaissance’s greatest artists: Andrea Mantegna.
