Virgin Enthroned with Saints (Signorelli)
Encyclopedia
The Virgin Enthroned with Saints is a painting by the Italian
Renaissance artist Luca Signorelli
, dated to 1491 and housed in the Pinacoteca Comunale (Municipal Art Gallery) of Volterra
, central Italy.
, a city under Florentine
control, under the patronage of the House of Medici. Aside from this Madonna, he painted a Annunciation, a Circumcision of Christ and, perhaps, the Portrait of Man
.
, such as Antonello da Messina
's San Cassiano Altarpiece
and its derivations by Giovanni Bellini
and others. Similarities include the green canvas hanging behind Mary's throne, continuing in the broccato carpet at her feet. Also of the same origin is the central cartouche with the artist's signature, derived from the Flemish painting
and introduced in Italy by Paduan artists.
The scene comprises two level: on the upper one are the Virgin and the blessing Child, with the saints John the Baptist, Peter, perhaps Antony of Padua and Francis, and, at the sides, two small angels. The upper saints (with the exception of St. Peter) are of poorer quality, and were perhaps executed by the artist's workshop. Those in the foreground, which were less hastily painted, are a bishop and St. Jerome sitting and writing. The latter resembles that painted by Domenico Ghirlandaio
in the church of Ognissanti
at Florence.
A classical element is the frieze with the Centauromachy, which cites a sarcophagus discovered in the early 15th century at Cortona
(not far from Volterra).
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Renaissance artist Luca Signorelli
Luca Signorelli
Luca Signorelli was an Italian Renaissance painter who was noted in particular for his ability as a draughtsman and his use of foreshortening...
, dated to 1491 and housed in the Pinacoteca Comunale (Municipal Art Gallery) of Volterra
Volterra
Volterra, known to the ancient Etruscans as Velathri, to the Romans as Volaterrae, is a town and comune in the Tuscany region of Italy.-History:...
, central Italy.
History
In 1490-1492 Signorelli was in VolterraVolterra
Volterra, known to the ancient Etruscans as Velathri, to the Romans as Volaterrae, is a town and comune in the Tuscany region of Italy.-History:...
, a city under Florentine
Republic of Florence
The Republic of Florence , or the Florentine Republic, was a city-state that was centered on the city of Florence, located in modern Tuscany, Italy. The republic was founded in 1115, when the Florentine people rebelled against the Margraviate of Tuscany upon Margravine Matilda's death. The...
control, under the patronage of the House of Medici. Aside from this Madonna, he painted a Annunciation, a Circumcision of Christ and, perhaps, the Portrait of Man
Portrait of a Man (Signorelli)
The Portrait of a Man is a painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Luca Signorelli, dated to c. 1492 and housed in the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin.-History:...
.
Description
The panel's subject is a Holy Conversation, inspired by similar works from the Venetian areaVenetian School
In music history, the Venetian School is a term used to describe the composers working in Venice from about 1550 to around 1610; it also describes the music they produced. The Venetian polychoral compositions of the late 16th century were among the most famous musical events in Europe, and their...
, such as Antonello da Messina
Antonello da Messina
Antonello da Messina, properly Antonello di Giovanni di Antonio was an Italian painter from Messina, Sicily, active during the Italian Renaissance...
's San Cassiano Altarpiece
San Cassiano Altarpiece
The San Cassiano Altarpiece is a painting by the Italian Renaissance master Antonello da Messina, dating to 1475-1476. Commissioned for the church of San Cassiano in Venice, it is now housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna...
and its derivations by Giovanni Bellini
Giovanni Bellini
Giovanni Bellini was an Italian Renaissance painter, probably the best known of the Bellini family of Venetian painters. His father was Jacopo Bellini, his brother was Gentile Bellini, and his brother-in-law was Andrea Mantegna. He is considered to have revolutionized Venetian painting, moving it...
and others. Similarities include the green canvas hanging behind Mary's throne, continuing in the broccato carpet at her feet. Also of the same origin is the central cartouche with the artist's signature, derived from the Flemish painting
Early Netherlandish painting
Early Netherlandish painting refers to the work of artists active in the Low Countries during the 15th- and early 16th-century Northern renaissance, especially in the flourishing Burgundian cities of Bruges and Ghent...
and introduced in Italy by Paduan artists.
The scene comprises two level: on the upper one are the Virgin and the blessing Child, with the saints John the Baptist, Peter, perhaps Antony of Padua and Francis, and, at the sides, two small angels. The upper saints (with the exception of St. Peter) are of poorer quality, and were perhaps executed by the artist's workshop. Those in the foreground, which were less hastily painted, are a bishop and St. Jerome sitting and writing. The latter resembles that painted by Domenico Ghirlandaio
Domenico Ghirlandaio
Domenico Ghirlandaio was an Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. Among his many apprentices was Michelangelo.-Early years:Ghirlandaio's full name is given as Domenico di Tommaso di Currado di Doffo Bigordi...
in the church of Ognissanti
Ognissanti
Ognissanti may refer to:*Church of Ognissanti, Florence*Ognissanti, Trani in the Italian town of Trani*Ognissanti, Venice...
at Florence.
A classical element is the frieze with the Centauromachy, which cites a sarcophagus discovered in the early 15th century at Cortona
Cortona
Cortona is a town and comune in the province of Arezzo, in Tuscany, Italy. It is the main cultural and artistic center of the Val di Chiana after Arezzo.-History:...
(not far from Volterra).