Albani Torlonia Polyptych
Encyclopedia
The Albani Torlonia Altarpiece is a painting by the Italian Renaissance painter Pietro Perugino
, executed in 1491 and housed in the Torlonia Collection, Rome
. It was commissioned by Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, the future pope Julius II
.
includes two levels: the lower one has at center a Nativity scene and, at the sides, two arched panels with the Saints Michael and St. John the Baptist and Jerome and George, sharing the same background. The upper one as, in the center, a lunette
with a Crucifixion, flanked by two small panels, with the Annunciation Angel and the Annunciation to the Virgin, set in a double portico.
The main scene, that of the Nativity, is perhaps inspired by that painted by Perugino in the Sistine Chapel
, which is now lost. The Child is housed in the Virgin's dress, lying on a red cushion; Mary and Joseph are adoring him, flanked by two kneeling angels and, behind, the ox and the donkey. The scene is set inside a perspective portico, while the background includes a series of hills.
Pietro Perugino
Pietro Perugino , born Pietro Vannucci, was an Italian Renaissance painter of the Umbrian school, who developed some of the qualities that found classic expression in the High Renaissance...
, executed in 1491 and housed in the Torlonia Collection, Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. It was commissioned by Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, the future pope Julius II
Pope Julius II
Pope Julius II , nicknamed "The Fearsome Pope" and "The Warrior Pope" , born Giuliano della Rovere, was Pope from 1503 to 1513...
.
Description
The polyptychPolyptych
A polyptych generally refers to a painting which is divided into sections, or panels. The terminology that follows is in relevance to the number of panels integrated into a particular piece of work: "diptych" describes a two-part work of art; "triptych" describes a three-part work; "tetraptych"...
includes two levels: the lower one has at center a Nativity scene and, at the sides, two arched panels with the Saints Michael and St. John the Baptist and Jerome and George, sharing the same background. The upper one as, in the center, a lunette
Lunette
In architecture, a lunette is a half-moon shaped space, either filled with recessed masonry or void. A lunette is formed when a horizontal cornice transects a round-headed arch at the level of the imposts, where the arch springs. If a door is set within a round-headed arch, the space within the...
with a Crucifixion, flanked by two small panels, with the Annunciation Angel and the Annunciation to the Virgin, set in a double portico.
The main scene, that of the Nativity, is perhaps inspired by that painted by Perugino in the Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel is the best-known chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. It is famous for its architecture and its decoration that was frescoed throughout by Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio...
, which is now lost. The Child is housed in the Virgin's dress, lying on a red cushion; Mary and Joseph are adoring him, flanked by two kneeling angels and, behind, the ox and the donkey. The scene is set inside a perspective portico, while the background includes a series of hills.