Mater dulcissima is the title of the exhibition presented at the Tavarnelle Museum of Sacred Art. The fulcrum of the exhibition is the so-called Madonna of the Cordai (Rope Makers) by Donatello, a masterpiece from the Bardini Museum in Florence. The sweetness and tenderness of the Madonna, a true earthly mother, towards Her Son, the Baby Jesus, is the theme of the exhibition which assembles many works from the museum’s permanent collection: ranging from the 13th century icon by Meliore, still tied to the Byzantine tradition, to the grace of the late Gothic Madonnas by Lorenzo di Bicci and Rossello di Jacopo Franchi up to the naturalistic representations of 15th century petit-maitres such as the Master of Marradi or the Master of Tavarnelle. The Virgin Mother in this basrelief by Donatello seems to be slipping from the throne to catch Her Child, intent on playing with the little angels, the ancient paintings of the museum encircle the central icon, inviting the viewer to meditate on the sweetness of this sacred - human relationship. The other Madonnas smile with a sweet languid look gazing with infinite love at the fruit of their own womb in a dimension of human affections, of emotions, of flesh.