The “Tomb of Ilaria del Carretto” is one of the most beautiful sculptures of the Italian Renaissance.  It was carved by the Sienese sculptor Jacopo della Quercia in 1406 for a recently deceased woman from Lucca named Ilaria del Carretto, who had died during childbirth. Clearly inspired by northern European tombs and courtly fashion, it also includes one of the earliest examples in Renaissance art of classical putti who are shown holding garlands around the sarcophagus. At the feet of the effigy of Ilaria is a life-like dog which is the symbol of marital fidelity. Buona visione!