Circle of the Vivarini workshop North Italian, Venice, circa 1465-1480

Simonetti Collection, Rome

Standard losses, chips, and worming throughout consistent with age. Losses include around edges and parts of capitals. Some refreshed polychromy and varnish applied for consolidation. Beautiful quality and otherwise good condition.
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The design of this beautiful relief within a tabernacle frame follows a longstanding iconographical tradition that is rooted in the art of the Byzantine period and which became part of the Venetian artistic vocabulary. Architectural wood altarpieces using the repertoire of ornate and flamboyant Gothic and later Renaissance motifs were favored by the Venetians. The present framework is elaborately carved and painted. It is surrounded with richly decorated floral and foliate embellishments and rosettes, which flank and center the lintel, surmounting fluted columns, all with gilt decoration on a blue ground. It is similar to a group of frames by the celebrated Venetian workshop of the Vivarini family. The Vivarini owned the largest workshop in Venice during the second half of the 15^th century and they were leaders in their field among artists such as Bellini and Carpaccio. Their production flourished and the shop was known for its ability to carve both extraordinary frames and sculpture as well as for their painting technique. 

A painting of the Madonna with four Saints in the Basilica di San Nicola in Bari by the Vivarini is surrounded by an elaborately carved frame incorporating similar decorative motifs (Pallucchini, op.cit., fig. 175). Another frame surrounding a painting of the Enthroned Virgin and Child with Saints and Music-making Angels ('La Pala di Belluno') by Alvise Vivarini circa 1490 was formerly in the Kaiser Friedrich Museum, Berlin (destroyed 1945) (Pallucchini, op.cit., fig. 259). The intimate proportions of the present work indicate that it was created for private devotion.

An art historical analysis written by Dr.Serenella Castri is available upon request.

RELATED LITERATURE
R. Palluchini, I Vivarini (Antonio, Bartolomeo, Alvise), Venice, 1962