Giuliano da Rimini (active Rimini, 1307 - 1324)
Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints, 1307
Tempera and gold on panel , 164 x 300 cm (64 9/16 x 118 1/8 in.)
General admission for children 17 years and under is always free
This is a horizontal painting featuring the Virgin and Child in the center surrounded by saints made of tempera and gold on panel. All of the figures have light skin. The Virgin is seated in the center wearing a gold and grey gown and her hair is covered with a white veil. The Christ Child is standing in her arms. He wears a black gown and red cape. Above the pair, there is an angel on each side; one in pink and blue with blue wings and the other in blue and grey robe with red wings. Clustered around the Virgin’s knees are smaller women; some wear habits, one wears a crown.
On the left and right of this main scene are eight figures shown in two rows with four on each side. Each figure is named at their feet in white lettering. In our upper left is Saint Francis. He is wearing a black robe with the stigmata on his hands. To his left, our right, is a standing male figure, with a halo and dressed in a brown robe with a dark grey shawl. His right hand is pointing upward and he holds a scroll in his left hand. Saint Clare, in our lower left corner, is haloed and wears a dark brown cape over a grey robe and a black veil. To her left, our right, is Saint Katherine who is also haloed, and wears a crown over her orange hair and wears a grey gown with a red shawl. On our upper right side is another standing figure in a green and red outfit and carrying a book. To the figure’s right is Mary Magdalene, also haloed with flowing red hair and wearing a dark robe. She is kneeling in prayer position and faces the Virgin and Child. There is a small angel that appears from the top of the panel, reaching out to her. On our lower right side are Saint Agnes and Saint Lucy. Both are haloed and wear a crown. Saint Agnes wears a dark grey gown and a white and red shawl. Saint Lucy wears a red dress and a grey and gold-lined shawl. The figures are on a gold background with ornate columns between each of them. The inscription at the top reads in Latin: ANNO.DNI.MLLO..C.C.C.SETTIMO..IULIANUS..PICTOR.DEARIMINO..FECIT.OCHOPUS.TENPORE.DNI.CLEMENTIS..PP..QUINTI.
Long Gallery
Commentary
This altarpiece was made for a religious order of nuns, and the painter specifically tailored its imagery to devout women. It was commissioned by the Order of Clares for the church of S. Giovanni Decollato in Urbania, a small town near Urbino. The order had been co-founded by Saint Clare (1194–1263), who is depicted at the lower left. She was a close follower of Saint Francis, who is shown above her. Three other female saints — Catherine, Agnes, and Lucy— are seen on the lower arcade, while Mary Magdalene is depicted opposite Saint Francis. Clustered around the Virgin’s throne are devout women: some wear habits, one wears a crown. These supplicants represent the order that commissioned the painting, and some of them may be portraits of the wealthy donors. The inscription directly describes the “true” confraternity and the intercessory power of the Virgin.
Source: Alan Chong, "Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints," in Eye of the Beholder, edited by Alan Chong et al. (Boston: ISGM and Beacon Press, 2003): 37.
Source: Alan Chong, "Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints," in Eye of the Beholder, edited by Alan Chong et al. (Boston: ISGM and Beacon Press, 2003): 37.