Lorenzo Monaco
Around 1406–10
Egg tempera and gold leaf on wood
These panels depict the Virgin Mary during her pregnancy and shortly after giving birth to Jesus. In the Visitation, she meets her cousin Elizabeth outside her house. The Adoration of the Magi occurs later, when three kings present fine gifts to the new-born Christ.
Along with two other surviving panels, these works originally formed the base of an altarpiece. They were later cut out to be sold individually. It is still possible, however, to see how Lorenzo Monaco cleverly adapted his design to the original shaped moulding, playing with its contours.