La Maestà (Virgin in majesty) circa 1280-5 Two of the Louvre's prize possessions were originally Napoleonic war booty! They are at present on show in a small but precious exhibition at the Western end of the grand gallery in the Denon wing. The star of the exhibition is the newly restored "Maestà " by Cimabue, known in English as the Virgin in majesty or the Virgin enthroned with angels. Its colours have been beautifully refreshed, from the virgin's lapis lazuli robe to the shimmering multi-coloured wings of the seraphim angels surrounding her and the Christ child. The angels and Saints (including Saint Francis) around the frame all look as if they are ready to pop out of the icon into the real world: detail: angel (from exhibition film) Little is known about Cenni di Pepo, called Cimabue. There are only two documented dates in his life: he was in Rome in 1282 and was working in Pisa in 1301 to 1302, the date of his death. Renaissance artist Vasari writes that Cimab...