Tile with Saint Martin and the Begger

Tuscan 16th Century (Possibly Cafaggiolo or Siena)

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of a medieval scene on a ceramic tile. The tile features a central image of a figure on horseback dressed in a green robe, reaching out with a red cloth towards another figure beside the horse. This second figure is on foot, draped in a similar red cloth. The horse appears dynamic and detailed, standing on a grassy landscape with a few stylized trees and architectural elements in the background. The outer edge is adorned with an intricate repeating pattern in orange tones, while the edges of the tile display a blue border with geometric designs. This is in the style of traditional Maiolica ware, a type of tin-glazed pottery.