The Virgin Protectress of the City of Siena. Artist: Francesco Vanni (Italian, Siena 1563-1610 Siena). Dimensions: 8 3/16 x 10 3/4in. (20.8 x 27.3cm). Date: 1588.Vanni studied painting briefly in Rome, but, before his twentieth birthday, he was back home in Siena, where he pursued a long career as a painter of altarpieces and decorations for public buildings. In this brisk and luminous sketch, the Virgin appears in glory, her right hand raised in benediction, while Saint Bernardino and Saint Catherine of Siena intercede for their fellow citizens. Toward the lower border of the composition appears a view of the skyline of Siena, easily identified by the silhouettes of the Torre del Mangia, the dome and bell tower of the Cathedral. The right border of the nearly square composition is indicated by a vertical framing line, at the right of which are sketches for heraldic devices. A squared study in pen and brown ink with wash for this same composition was in the collection of Sir John Pop