Throughout this wonderful city are a multitude of sometimes very beautifully painted tabernacles, offering thanks to God and seeking protection from him. No wonder Florence is called an open air museum! Asking the gods for help is as old as mankind.

I walk by this particular tabernacle pretty often and always stop and admire the quattrocento style painting. We see Mary and her infant son, along with St. John the Baptist at our lower right and St. Peter on the left. Above the saints are two angels.

I love the trim work at the top of the throne on which Mary sits. It reminds me of many Gothic era picture altars and frames as well as the trim work on some buildings.

Above, St. John

Above, St. Peter with his key. I always wonder, who decided what the painter would paint? Was it the person/association that commissioned the work? Who had jurisdiction over this particular street corner. Was there some event that spurred the commission? Who was the artist? These and many more questions exist happily in my mind as I leave the beautiful work of art and wander on my merry way, delighted that I live in such a place that I can pass by this kind of thing on any given day!