Until recently the little chapel outside the village of Monterchi
contained the most evocative of all Pieros. The painting may
have been intended as a memorial to Piero's mother who was buried
in the cemetery. Unfortunately, it has now been removed to a
museum in the village. Nevertheless, the Madonna del Parto remains
many people's favourite work by the artist. Two angels draw aside
a curtain to reveal the pregnant Virgin, a rare image in art.
You have the very strong feeling of intruding on a moment of
the greatest intimacy. This is heightened by the expression of
sorrow on the Virgin's face; indeed, there are traces of tears
on her cheeks at her premonition of the tragedy to come. As always
with Piero, the composition is in perfect harmony. Local women
still come to pray before this painting for the Virgin's help
during childbirth.
