St. Mark Preaching in Alexandria
Dublin Core
Title
Description
Upon the death of Gentile Bellini in 1507, it was prescribed in his will that his younger brother, Giovanni Bellini, would complete the work St. Mark Preaching in Alexandria commissioned by the Scuola Grande di San Marco [1]. Giovanni’s continuation of the work was confirmed by the Scuola only a few days after his death [1]. The work was a part of a restoration project after a fire had destroyed the Scuola’s hall in 1485 [2].
Saint Mark, the patron saint and esteemed figurehead of Venice, is located preaching on the left side of the scene as members of the confraternity stand behind him [2]. To the right are a group of white veiled Arab women and Turbaned men which dominate the crowd Saint Mark is preaching to [2]. Their clothing exhibits a peculiar attention to detail and texture, as the white fabric seems to flow off of their heads and the robes of the Turbaned men are brightly colored, possibly an illustration of their wealth, success, or commercial prowess. The inclusion of the distinctly Eastern clothing and cultural elements is a reflection of Gentile’s travels to the eastern region, specifically from when he spent time in Constantinople [1]. In the background stands Saint Marks basilica, but it is surrounded by high-walled buildings and minarets [2]. Camels and giraffes in the background further allude to the notion that this scene is of Egyptian origin [2]. The surrounding architecture is used to frame the scene and provide a stage for the unfolding events. They draw the viewer’s attention to Saint Mark in the foreground, highlighting his importance and power as a saintly figure.
Saint Mark Preaching in Alexandria represents a reimagination or refitting of Venetian painting. As a direct inspiration of the Procession in the Piazza San Marco, it illustrates the application of Veneitan places, styles, and ideas onto the Islamic “Other” [3]. However, the serene nature of the scene (groups gathered peacefully, linear order among the participants, and clear skies) can allude to the establishment of peace between Venice and its Muslim neighbors [2]. While Gentile’s original contributions to the work were of mainly Eastern style, Giovanni picked up and finished the work applying, more heavily, a Venetian lens.
[1] “'Mark Preaching in Alexandria' by Gentile and Giovanni Bellini,” warfare.ga, accessed November 18, 2020, http://warfare.ga/16/Bellini-Mark_Preaching_in_Alexandria.htm?i=1.
[2] “St Mark Preaching in Alexandria,” www.giovannibellini.org, 2018, http://www.giovannibellini.org/st-mark-preaching-in-alexandria/.
[3] Carol Richardson, Locating Renaissance Art (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2007), 243.
Creator
Source
“'Mark Preaching in Alexandria' by Gentile and Giovanni Bellini.” warfare.ga. Accessed November 18, 2020. http://warfare.ga/16/Bellini-Mark_Preaching_in_Alexandria.htm?i=1.
Richardson, Carol M. Locating Renaissance Art. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2007.
“St Mark Preaching in Alexandria.” www.giovannibellini.org, 2018. http://www.giovannibellini.org/st-mark-preaching-in-alexandria/.
Image Source: Gentile Bellini and Giovanni Bellini. 1504-c. 1507. Saint Mark Preaching in Alexandria. painting. Place: Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan, Italy. https://library.artstor.org/asset/SCALA_ARCHIVES_1039614920.
Publisher
Image Source: Gentile Bellini and Giovanni Bellini. 1504-c. 1507. Saint Mark Preaching in Alexandria. painting. Place: Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan, Italy. https://library.artstor.org/asset/SCALA_ARCHIVES_1039614920.
Date
Contributor
Rights
Image Source: Gentile Bellini and Giovanni Bellini. 1504-c. 1507. Saint Mark Preaching in Alexandria. painting. Place: Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan, Italy. https://library.artstor.org/asset/SCALA_ARCHIVES_1039614920.