Virgin and child by Jacopo Sansovino

The Virgin in gilt terracotta, made in the mid-16th century for the loggia at the base of St. Mark's bell-tower, is considered one of Jacopo Sansovino's freshest and most vibrant works, taking up cues from Donatello's artistic language, such as the hairstyle with seraphs, inspired by that of the Virgin in St. Antony's, Padua.

The group emerged seriously damaged after the collapse of the bell-tower on 14 July 1902.
The more than fourteen hundred fragments, many of which are tiny, were immediately reassembled.
The work underwent three restorations, in 1903, 1955 and 1996, all under the direction of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure of Florence.

It was not possible to reconstruct the figure of the Infant St. John, the centre of the group. Indeed, the eyes of both Jesus and the Virgin, who rested her left hand on his head, now extended in space, were turned towards him.

Virgin and Child by Jacopo Sansovino
mid-16th century