Triptych, Monte San Martino
The triptych by Vittore Crivelli features a white scroll on the front base, decorated with faux red porphyry, bearing the inscription: “OPUS VICTORIS CRIVELLI VENETI / MCCCCLXXXX.”
The work consists of a central panel depicting the Madonna and Child, larger than the two side panels, and a rectangular cymatium depicting the Crucifixion. This structure was used several times by Vittore Crivelli, as in the polyptych of the Visitation of Sant'Elpidio a Mare, which is still intact and preserved in the Civic Art Gallery. The carpentry has an architectural structure consisting of lowered arches, typical of the Venetian artist's later works.
Recently, Alessandro Delpriori (2011) raised the horizontal panel at the base, with its red porphyry motif and blue and gold frame, like segments. The scholar therefore hypothesized that the red panel is the only remaining element of the capsa, which served to better support the work and protect it as it consisted of a sliding curtain.
It can be seen that the pilasters of the frame are worked as pseudo-grotesques in relief, which were created for other works, such as the subsequent Madonna della Cintola of Massa Fermana, located in the Municipal Art Gallery of the same city, or the Triptych of the Visitation in Sant'Elpidio a Mare.
In the central panel, Vittore Crivelli depicts the Madonna seated on a throne with the blessing Child sitting on her lap. The Mother gazes intently at her son, who is holding a small bird, probably a goldfinch, in one hand. On either side of the throne are two saints: on the right, the Archangel Gabriel carrying a white lily; on the left, the Archangel Michael with a sword made of silver foil and scales in his hand.
Behind the Virgin's shoulders is a drape stretched across a bamboo cane, from which two pomegranates are also hanging.
The side panels depict two holy bishops: Saint Anthony the Abbot, recognizable by various elements, including the fire rising from his book, the bell, and the pig; while on the opposite side is Saint Martin, who is said to be the patron saint of the city.
Finally, at the top is the rectangular cornice depicting the Crucifixion with a half-gilded, half-atmospheric background, as his brother Carlo had done for the same scene in the cathedral of Camerino. The panel was probably painted in the late 1480s.
The Triptych of Monte San Martino, which was created for the church of San Martino, is one of the most beautiful works produced by the painter towards the end of his career.
Vittore Crivelli
Trittico, 1490
Tempera su tavola
Ordine inferiore
Madonna col Bambino, S. Martino, S. Antonio Abate
Ordine superiore
Crocifissione
Dimensioni
Pannello centrale inferiore: 126×60 cm
Pannelli laterali inferiori: 126×38,5 cm; 126×40,5 cm
Pannello centrale superiore: 70×57 cm
Chiesa di San Martino Vescovo
Via Armindo Ricci
Monte San Martino (MC)
Triptych, Monte San Martino
The triptych by Vittore Crivelli features a white scroll on the front base, decorated with faux red porphyry, bearing the inscription: “OPUS VICTORIS CRIVELLI VENETI / MCCCCLXXXX.”
The work consists of a central panel depicting the Madonna and Child, larger than the two side panels, and a rectangular cymatium depicting the Crucifixion. This structure was used several times by Vittore Crivelli, as in the polyptych of the Visitation of Sant'Elpidio a Mare, which is still intact and preserved in the Civic Art Gallery. The carpentry has an architectural structure consisting of lowered arches, typical of the Venetian artist's later works.
Recently, Alessandro Delpriori (2011) raised the horizontal panel at the base, with its red porphyry motif and blue and gold frame, like segments. The scholar therefore hypothesized that the red panel is the only remaining element of the capsa, which served to better support the work and protect it as it consisted of a sliding curtain.
It can be seen that the pilasters of the frame are worked as pseudo-grotesques in relief, which were created for other works, such as the subsequent Madonna della Cintola of Massa Fermana, located in the Municipal Art Gallery of the same city, or the Triptych of the Visitation in Sant'Elpidio a Mare.
In the central panel, Vittore Crivelli depicts the Madonna seated on a throne with the blessing Child sitting on her lap. The Mother gazes intently at her son, who is holding a small bird, probably a goldfinch, in one hand. On either side of the throne are two saints: on the right, the Archangel Gabriel carrying a white lily; on the left, the Archangel Michael with a sword made of silver foil and scales in his hand.
Behind the Virgin's shoulders is a drape stretched across a bamboo cane, from which two pomegranates are also hanging.
The side panels depict two holy bishops: Saint Anthony the Abbot, recognizable by various elements, including the fire rising from his book, the bell, and the pig; while on the opposite side is Saint Martin, who is said to be the patron saint of the city.
Finally, at the top is the rectangular cornice depicting the Crucifixion with a half-gilded, half-atmospheric background, as his brother Carlo had done for the same scene in the cathedral of Camerino. The panel was probably painted in the late 1480s.
The Triptych of Monte San Martino, which was created for the church of San Martino, is one of the most beautiful works produced by the painter towards the end of his career.
