c. 1500/1535
Deruta, 16th Century
tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica)

National Gallery of Art, Washington
When I started planning this project, I wanted to make sure I included more than just paintings of the Madonna and Child. I could have, easily—heck, I could have done forty days of Italian paintings of the Madonna and Child from the National Gallery alone—but the museums here in D.C. have much more to offer than just paintings. So before this is over, you'll see sculpture, photographs, folk art, ceramics, and so on.
Speaking of ceramics, how about this big plate? A detail image is available if you need a closer look, as is a translation of the text inscribed on the banner. And by the way, Deruta is not the name of the artist; it's a small town in Umbria (central Italy) famous for its tin-glazed ceramics.