Bartolomeo bon’s tympanum : Virgin and Child with kneeling members of the Scuola Grande della Misericordia Flashcards
(29 cards)
DATE
1445-1450
TITLE
Bartolomeo bon’s tympanum : Virgin and Child with kneeling members of the Scuola Grande della Misericordia
What is the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, and what role did it play in Venice
A confraternity focused on charitable acts, offering support to members in need.
they met and prayed together. It symbolized civic unity and religious devotion.
members paid a fee and the scuola grande would look after them if they hit hard times
Why were Scuole Grande significant in Venetian society
They provided a sense of self-determination for members, even after the Serrata of 1297 meant that no more families could achieve noble status to sit on the Grand Council of the Republic.
it reinforced civic pride, and showcased Venice as a harmonious society.
This helped enforce the myth of Venice as La Serenissima, where everyone was happy.
when was the serrata and what happened
Serrata of 1297 meant that no more families could achieve noble status to sit on the Grand Council of the Republic.
how many scuola grndes were there in total in venice AND how was this one the most important
7
this one was oldest in city, had 1,500 members
origional meeting house: where was it located
It was located in a sparsely populated area of the city, in Cannaregio, on the northern edge of Venice. (needed regular repairs as exposed to winds of the lagoon, which is when tympaneum was commissioned)
where was the sculpture moved later on
*The sculpture was later moved to the Scuola Nuova (new building) which was built at the beginning of the 16th century
Where was this sculpture originally displayed (and where was it origionally carved for?)
It was installed in the tympanum above the main doorway of the Scuola Grande della Misericordia’s meeting house.
What does the placement of the sculpture in the tympanum symbolize?
Passing beneath the Virgin’s protective mantle emphasized spiritual protection and confraternity unity.
how is the virgin depicted
-virgin stands frontally
-Virgin sheltering worshippers under her cloak, symbolizing mercy and protection.
-wears a mantle fastened to her breast by and almond shapped medallion (contains the naked figure of the christ child, his hand raised in blessing)
-holds her mantle open with both hands
-The Virgin would have worn a metal crown which has since been lost.
This is a ‘type’ of Virgin and Child known in Byzantine images as the platytera.
what was this image of the virgin and child known as in byzantine tradition
This is a ‘type’ of Virgin and Child known in Byzantine images as the platytera.
what was the sculpture origionally flanked with
*This sculpture was originally flanked with representations of the allegorical figures of Hope and Charity. A figure of Faith would have stood at the top of the tympanum
What does the Tree of Jesse in the background represent?
It symbolizes Christ’s genealogy, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy, and emphasizes the divine lineage.
It is common in medieval iconography.
Who are the kneeling figures under the virgin’s mantle
Beneath her mantle are nine kneeling members of the Scuola of Santa Maria della Misericordia in positions of prayer
what is a depiction of the virgin sheltering worshippers with her cloak also known as
known as the Madonna della Misericordia (Madonna of Mercy)
How does this relief connect to Venetian identity?
The Virgin, joint patron saint of Venice, reinforces the city’s divine favor and protection
What material was used for this relief, and why was it chosen?
Istrian stone, prized for its whiteness, was used as a base for polychrome decoration and gilding.
what was the origional colour of the background and what was there evidence of around the virgins mantle
The background to the Tree of Jesse was blue
evidence of lapis lazuli pigments around the mantel of the Virgin.
Traces of gilding, pigments and patterns are visable
how was polychrome decoration origionally applied
Layers of oil, glaze, and pigments like azurite and lapis lazuli were used, with gilding on details like Christ’s halo and the Virgin’s robe.
extensive restoration of the work has revealed that the whole piece would have been richly and colourfully decorated with polychrome paintwork and gilding
How does Byzantine art influence this sculpture
Virgin and Child’s composition reflects Byzantine traditions, highlighting Venice’s historical and economic links to the East.
This is a ‘type’ of Virgin and Child known in Byzantine images as the platytera.
ich polychrome and gilding decor prominent in Venice, of which was very largly connected to eastern art
What role did patronage play in this commission?
: The Scuola Grande della Misericordia, as patrons, used the relief to display their wealth, devotion, and social status.
How does the Renaissance context influence the piece?
relief integrates medieval iconography with Renaissance interest in naturalism and civic pride.
what colours was this work origionally PAINTED with
The entire sculpture was richly painted and gilded, with vibrant blues, greens, and gold emphasizing its divine and civic significance.
