"The Madonna and Child with the Infant St. John" aka "MADONNA COL BAMBINO E SAN GIOVANNINO" is a pretty typical Renaissance painting. Everything looks normal and expected - all except for the UFO hovering in the background! weird. The addition of this unknown flying object has mystified people for years. Conspiracy Theorists and Ufologists go cuckoo for this painting I'm sure. And this UFO can't be downgraded or passed off for a weather balloon! BURN!
But what does this flying object have to do with the subject of the painting? What is the connection? Is it a "heavenly body" or is it the mysterious flying object quoted in the book of Ezekiel? If it is a host of angels, are they holed up in that flying metal object? Some people think that it's connected to the Nativity Star to the left or the Announcement to the Shepherds from the Nativity story. Or it could just be the Millenium Falcon or ET's ride...Nobody knows. Its color, shape, lights, light rays, position in the sky all seem to hint to a real deal flying saucer. The spottings and popularity of UFOs only really picked up in the mid-50s. But did these Renaissance men and women also see them as well?
p.s. Is it about to abduct that poor soul in the background? That dog also looks like it has taken notice. Look at it howling. hehe
Here is more background information:
MADONNA COL BAMBINO E SAN GIOVANNINO
(Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John)
Attributed to Sebastiano Mainardi or Jacopo del Sellaio
Firenze, Palazzo Vecchio Museum, Sala d'Ercole
photos copyright of Diego Cuoghi, 2003
http://www.sprezzatura.it/Arte/Arte_UFO_5_eng.htm
