Castelfranco Madonna 

Castelfranco Madonna is an altarpiece commissioned by Tuzio Constanzo, a condottierio or warlord, and was made in memory of his son, Matteo, who had passed away most likely while serving under his father in war [1]. The Madonna is featured while holding baby Christ and they are accompanied by St. Francis of Assisi and St. Nicasius. The commissioner may have inspired the armored figure and the other martyred saint - relating to the war in which is son had died and religion important to the ideals of the Italian Renaissance [2]. 

The scene has a backdrop, typical to Giorgione’s style, a rural backdrop of an Italian landscape. The elements of this altarpiece are traditional to "sacra conversazione" or holy conversation in which the Virgin and baby Christ are surrounded surrounded [3]. The Madonna and Christ are elevated on a throne with a downcast gaze. This expresses the sorrowful mood of the painting, perhaps to express the grievance of losing a son. The green drape helps to compositionally connect the two figures atop the throne and the two saints below. The nature, architecture, and figures create a detailed piece that harmoniously unites the three.

1. Henry Zaidan, “01 Work, RELIGIOUS ART - Interpretation of the Bible, With Footnotes - 130,” January 1, 1970, https://painting-mythology.blogspot.com/2019/03/01-work-religious-art-interpretation-of.html.

2. “Castelfranco Madonna,” Artble, July 19, 2017, https://www.artble.com/artists/giorgione/paintings/castelfranco_madonna.

3. “Castelfranco Madonna,” Castelfranco Madonna by Giorgione, accessed November 17, 2020, http://www.giorgione.net/castelfranco-madonna/.

Giorgione

“Castelfranco Madonna.” Artble, July 19, 2017. https://www.artble.com/artists/giorgione/paintings/castelfranco_madonna.

“Castelfranco Madonna.” Castelfranco Madonna by Giorgione. Accessed November 17, 2020. http://www.giorgione.net/castelfranco-madonna/.

Giorgione, 1477-1511. c.1500-5. Enthroned Madonna and Child, Castelfranco Altarpiece. https://library.artstor.org/asset/ARTSTOR_103_41822000567584.

Zaidan, Henry. “01 Work, RELIGIOUS ART - Interpretation of the Bible, With Footnotes - 130,” January 1, 1970. https://painting-mythology.blogspot.com/2019/03/01-work-religious-art-interpretation-of.html.

Commissioned by Tuzio Costanzo.

Image Source: 
Giorgione, 1477-1511. c.1500-5. Enthroned Madonna and Child, Castelfranco Altarpiece. https://library.artstor.org/asset/ARTSTOR_103_41822000567584.

c.1500-5

Olivia Migli

Use of this image is in accordance with the Artstor Terms & Conditions.

Panel, 200 cm x 152 cm.

Altarpiece

Castelfranco Cathedral, Veneto, Italy