This plate depicting a Madonna with Child is taken from a painting by the Neapolitan artist Domenico Morelli, now known only through a photograph preserved in the archive of the Ginori Museum.
Likely entering production in 1878, when it was exhibited at the Universal Exposition in Paris with the indication of model and decoration number, it is cited as a prototype at the 1873 Vienna Exhibition.
It is probable that this maiolica model, as well as other maiolica pieces derived from nearly contemporary works and produced by the manufactory during the same period, reached Doccia through the mediation of the Calabrian painter Giuseppe Benassai, a friend of Morelli and artistic director of the factory since 1870. Indeed, Benassai did not limit himself to creating designs and decorations of his own invention but also provided printed or photographic prototypes taken from other pictorial sources.
The popularity of these compositions, used as sacred images to be placed at the head of beds, is also evidenced by their prestigious buyers, which include the Empress of Germany and Queen of Prussia Victoria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Queen Margherita of Savoy of Italy.
