Santa Maria dei Servi (Siena)
Encyclopedia
The Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi (also known as San Clement) is a Catholic church in Siena
, central Italy.
in 1234 and annexed to a new convent. The new church was consecrated only in 1533. The 15th century-style façade, however, was never finished, and the 13th century bell tower, originally in Romanesque style
, was deeply modified in the following centuries (the last time in 1926).
and two portals. The church, on the Latin cross plan, has a nave and two aisles in Renaissance style, divided by columns characterized by outstanding carved capitals. The transept and the apse are in Gothic
style.
Works of art in the interior include:
Most of the side chapels have been stylistically renovated in the early 20th century.
Siena
Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena.The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008...
, central Italy.
History
The church is built on the site of the former San Clement, which was acquired by the Servite OrderServite Order
The Servite Order is one of the five original Catholic mendicant orders. Its objects are the sanctification of its members, preaching the Gospel, and the propagation of devotion to the Mother of God, with special reference to her sorrows. The members of the Order use O.S.M. as their post-nominal...
in 1234 and annexed to a new convent. The new church was consecrated only in 1533. The 15th century-style façade, however, was never finished, and the 13th century bell tower, originally in Romanesque style
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
, was deeply modified in the following centuries (the last time in 1926).
Description
The façade, in brickwork, has a rose windowRose window
A Rose window is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but is especially used for those found in churches of the Gothic architectural style and being divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery...
and two portals. The church, on the Latin cross plan, has a nave and two aisles in Renaissance style, divided by columns characterized by outstanding carved capitals. The transept and the apse are in Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style.
Works of art in the interior include:
- the so-called Madonna del BordoneMadonna del BordoneThe Madonna del Bordone is a panel painting by the Italian painter Coppo di Marcovaldo, in the church of Santa Maria dei Servi in Siena, Italy....
, the only signed work by Coppo di MarcovaldoCoppo di MarcovaldoCoppo di Marcovaldo was an Italian painter active in Tuscany.-Biography:He was born in Florence, and is mentioned as active in Pistoia in 1265, where he frescoed the St...
. He painted after having been taken prisoner by the Sienese in the Battle of MontapertiBattle of MontapertiThe Battle of Montaperti was fought on September 4, 1260, between Florence and Siena in Tuscany as part of the conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines... - Nativity of Mary by Rutilio Manetti (1625)
- Massacre of the Innocents by Matteo di GiovanniMatteo di GiovanniMatteo di Giovanni c. 1430 - 1495) was an Italian Renaissance artist from the Sienese school.-Biography:Matteo di Giovanni di Bartolo was born in Borgo Sansepolcro around 1430. His family relocated to Siena and he is firmly associated with the art of that city...
(1491) - a large painted cross, attributed to Niccolò di Segna
- Adoration of the Shepherds by Taddeo di BartoloTaddeo di BartoloTaddeo di Bartolo , also known as Taddeo Bartoli, was an Italian painter of the Sienese School during the early Renaissance. He is among the artists profiled in Vasari's Le Vite delle più eccellenti pittori, scultori, ed architettori...
(1404) - Madonna di Belverde, by Jacopo di Mino del PellicciaioJacopo di Mino del PellicciaioJacopo di Mino del Pellicciaio was an Italian painter, active in Siena.He is also called Giacomo di Mino. He appears to be a follower of Simone Martini. He was the contemporary of Lippo Vanni and Luca Thome, being in 1373 appointed to value one of latter's pictures. His name appears in the Sienese...
and Taddeo di Bartolo (late 14th century) - Massacre of the Innocents, attributed to Pietro LorenzettiPietro LorenzettiPietro Lorenzetti was an Italian painter, active between approximately 1306 and 1345. His younger brother was the painter Ambrogio Lorenzetti....
and other - the main altarpiece with the Incoronation of the Virgin and Saints by Bernardino FungaiBernardino FungaiBernardino Fungai was an Italian painter.Fungai is thought to have studied under local painters in his native city of Siena, despite very little being known of his career. His paintings evince an influence from local Sienese painters and also Pietro Perugino. In 1482, he worked on frescoes for the...
- frescoes with Stories of Sts. John the Baptist and the Evangelist, by Niccolò di Segna
- Madonna della Misericordia (or Madonna del Manto), by Giovanni di PaoloGiovanni di PaoloGiovanni di Paolo di Grazia was an Italian painter, working primarily in Siena. He may have apprenticed with Taddeo di Bartolo, becoming a prolific painter and illustrator of manuscripts, including Dante's texts....
(1431) - Annunciation, by Francesco VanniFrancesco VanniFrancesco Vanni was an Italian painter of the Mannerist style, active in Rome and his native city of Siena.-Biography:He was half-brother of the painter Ventura Salimbeni, and the stepson of Arcangelo Salimbeni, another Sienese painter. His stepfather died when Francesco was young, and as a 16...
Most of the side chapels have been stylistically renovated in the early 20th century.