Madonna and Child with Saints Anselm and Charles Borromeo

This work is unanimously considered one of the masterpieces of Domenico Fetti, a Roman artist brought to Mantua by Ferdinando Gonzaga when, in 1613, he was unexpectedly appointed duke. It is distinguished by the "sweetly soft, soft and nuanced" (E. A. Safarik) shape "of a Rubensian imprint, created with broad brushstrokes, full-bodied impasto and liquid and delicate colors" (R. Berzaghi). It is assumed that the canvas was commissioned by Carlo Bardelloni, president of the Senate of Justice, for the chapel of the then court, which was located in the current Palazzo della Ragione, in Piazza Erbe.

There are depicted, in the divine light with the dove symbol of the Holy Spirit, the patron saint of the diocese Sant'Anselmo and San Carlo Borromeo (who was several times in Mantua, where his family owned the building that still exists in via Cavour) in adoration of the Redeemer seated on the lap of the Mother. The lively figure of the latter places his hand on a crystal sphere, symbol of the world, on which is planted the cross, symbol of redemption. The sacred figures seem to protect the city, of which the painting offers a precious and rich view, as it appeared from the left bank of the Lower Lake. First of all, the buildings of the palace can be recognized: from the left, the Mostra gallery with the bell tower of the palatine basilica of Santa Barbara, the "large apartment" of Duke Guglielmo and the castle of San Giorgio, with the opposite, later demolished, Palace of the Paleologue. Behind the castle you can see the bell tower of the cathedral and the bell tower (no longer existing) of the monastery of Sant'Agnese, now home to the museum. On the right the bridge of San Giorgio, in that time covered.