San Giobbe Altarpiece /

Artist?

Giovanni Bellini.

When was is produced?

1478 - 1480.

Location?

Originally in the church of San Giobbe, but now in the Accademia.

Patron?

The Scuola di San Giobbe, a devotional confraternity of St Job.

Where was San Giobbe located in Venice?

San Giobbe was by the waters edge and was close to the plague hospital.

Function?

Assist prayer on behalf of the plague stricken, to generate civic pride, prayers to Mary and Saints on behalf of the dead, to gain a place for the dead in heaven by pleasing God.

Reference to senses?

References to sense was hugely important and was due to the myth of Venice. The importance of referencing senses was due to Venice's need to treat an identity that was distinct from Florence and Rome. It also references trade and the memory of the Byzantine Empire that was lost in 1453.

San Giobbe Altarpiece links?

Bellini, San Zaccaria Altarpiece, 1505; Piero della francesca, Montefeltro Altarpiece.

Florentine contrasts to San Giobbe Altarpiece?

Fra Angelico, San Marco Altarpiece, Florence.

Venetian contrasts to San Giobbe Altarpiece?

St Mark Altarpiece, Bartolomeo Vivarini, 1476, Santa Maria Gloriosa de Frai.

Why is the San Giobbe Altarpiece uniquely Venetian?

Due to its strong pigments, Venetian Sacra Conversazione, Byzantine reference and influence, strong use of Gold, byzantine architecture, softness, less Roman influence, use of light which also creates a shimmering effect, displays the myth of Venice as Venice was founded on the day off the annunciation which is displayed through the strong reference and focus on the Virgin Mary,.

How has the San Giobbe Altarpiece, visually have anything to do with the Portrait of Doge Leonardo Loredan?

They both have elaborate designs and thus reference the Byzantium Empire. They both reference trade, due to their shared use of strong pigments. Both use oil paint, and both have a similar red hue / warm hues are used which is evident in the coloured marble. Both remain detached from the viewer. Both have hierarchy.

What are the San Giobbe references to sight?

The emphasis on religion, objects, flamboyance and softness. Mary is looking out indirectly to the viewer and Jesus is looking up to heaven.

What are the San Giobbe references to sound/hearing?

Lute and stringed instrument.

What are the San Giobbe references to taste?

The altar is where one gets the bread and wine, the communion.

What are the San Giobbe references to Touch?

The holy water and where one gets the communion is at the altar, where there is also a step from prayer. The folds in the drapery and everything in the composition is very tactile.

What are the San Giobbe references to smell?

The fragrance in the church such as frankincense. The display of the Byzantine influence, triggered association to Byzantium, which was known for their pigments, oil and fragrance.

What did the San Giobbe Altarpiece provide a model for?

The San Giobbe altarpiece provided the model for the Venetian version of the sacra conversazione.

Where was the San Giobbe Altarpiece commissioned for?

Commissioned for the chapel of the hospital of San Giobbe, Venice.

Where was the San Giobbe Altarpiece situated?

The San Giobbe Altarpiece stood on the second altar on the right hand wall of the newly rebuilt observant Franciscan church of San Giobbe.

Why was it suitable to focus on St Sebastian?

It was suitable for prominence to be given to St Sebastian as he was the protector of the disk, as well as St Job, who was the patron saint go the hospital due to his concern for those enduring physical and mental suffering.

What in the San Giobbe Altarpiece makes reference to the church of San Giobbe?

The architectural format of the painting makes reference to the church which was based on a simple aisle-less plan with a domed chancel.

When was it commissioned?

It was commissioned in 1478 during an outbreak of plague, therefore it was a votive act, one of thanksgiving, to ensure everyone's survival and protection from the plague or to ensure a place in heaven if died.

What architectural element of the church of San Giobbe showed Byzantine influence?

The use of a pendentive dome was linked to Byzantine influence that affected Venetian architecture after the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

Who was the patron of the church San Giobbe?

The patron of the San Giobbe church was Doge Cristoforo Moro, who elevated it status as the was buried in the chancel in 1471. Moreover, the mosaic decorated half-dome makes a reference to the ducal palace.

What architectural element of San Giobbe was linked to the ducal palace?

The hanging canopy was associated with the ducal umbrella, a prominent element in the ceremonial regalia of the doge.

What was happening to Venice when the San Giobbe Altarpiece was created?

The altarpiece appeared when Venetian power was beginning to wane. As Venice's slow decline began, it was more important than ever to spread the 'myth of Venice', to boost internal morale and to convince foreign visitors of her continued strength.

What light contributes to the mood of tranquility?

A soft, warm light comes from the right, matching the lighting of the nave from the windows on the entrance wall that contributes to the mood of tranquility.

How is the San Giobbe altarpiece closely linked to the 'myth of Venice'?

The San Giobbe Altarpiece is closely linked to the political content as the myth of Venice's foundation depended on her special relationship with the Virgin Mary and her attachment to the feast of the Annunciation.

What text is on the illustrated apse in the San Giobbe Altarpiece?

The text on the apse ceiling reads: 'Hail undefiled flower of Virgin modesty'. These words are extremely patriotic as they make a direct reference to the Annunciation.

What echos the words of text in Ecclesiasticus 24?

The laurel twigs tied to the baldachin above the throne echo the words of the associated text in Ecclesiasticus 24, 'I spread out my branched laden with honour and grace'.

What emphasises the Virgin Mary's importance within the Altarpiece?

The manipulation of scale and monumental architectural setting emphasises the Virgin's importance and majesty. The image is huge, as it is 4.7m x 2.5m. The life size standing figures are less than one third the height of the barrel vault above them.

What played an important role in Venetian state ritual and iconography?

Byzantine works of art played an important role in Venetian state ritual and iconography.

What does the decoration of the half-dome reflect?

The gleaming, mosaic decorated half-dome is decorated with Byzantine seraphim inspired by the decoration of San Marco?

How is the Virgin Mary similar to a Byzantine icon?

The Virgin Mary has a remote quality similar to that of a Byzantine icon. The low point corresponds to the floor level of the illusory chapel and places her above the viewer.

What is a Byzantine element to the San Giobbe Altarpiece?

Marble panelling behind the throne.

What are the figures in the Altarpiece?

As it is an altarpiece, it illustrates religious figures. It is also a sacra conversazione of religious figures such as St Job, Sebastian and the Virgin Mary, that relate to the function of the altarpiece.

What is the composition of the Altarpiece?

The San Giobbe Altarpiece, has a sacra conversazione, which focus's on the religious figures, especially the Virgin Mary, who is the chief intercessor of Venice, as Venice was founded on the day of the annunciation. This therefore heightens the myth of Venice, as the vanishing point ends on Mary and the baby Jesus.

What is the Form of the Altarpiece?

The San Giobbe Altarpiece has sculptural forms, that are modelled in light to reflect god and the holy, spiritual figures illustrated. Moreover, these figures are idealised and have soft forms.

What is the Mosaics of the Altarpiece?

There is gold mosaics in the apse, in the half dome of the Altarpiece. This highlights the influence of the Byzantium Empire and trade. The gold mosaic creates a shimmer in the light. This highlights Venice's relationship with light and the myth of Venice, as it reflects the shimmer of light of the water on buildings. The glass that made the mosaics would have come from Murano, an island in Venice.

What is the Marble of the Altarpiece?

The architecture and throne that the Virgin Mary is situated on has a Byzantine style. This indicates Venice's influence and relationship with Byzantium. There is also coloured marble behind the throne, which displays as sign of beauty that appealed to the senses.

What is the Architecture of the Altarpiece?

There is Byzantium styled architecture, which displays a slight Roman influence, which is evident by the coffered barrel vault. This reflects Venice's trade and the arrival of Humanism in Venice. The reflection to Byzantium was due to Venice wanting to perpetuate her former glory and to uphold their memory of their former empire, that they lost in 1453.

What is the Colour of the Altarpiece?

There is extremely strong and rich pigments used. This was due to trade, as Venice was able to access the best pigments and first. These pigments are evident in the red, gold, lapis lazuli, (blue), brown, white and warm hues.

What is the Inscription of the Altarpiece?

The inscription in the apse references the annunciation, when Venice was founded on the 25th March 4AD.

What is the Canopy of the Altarpiece?

The canopy, links to the ducal palace. Venice was very unique with having a Doge, therefore reflecting the 'myth of Venice'. Moreover, the Doge Cristoforo Muro was buried in San Giobbe in the chancel.

What did Vasari state about the San Giobbe Altarpiece?

"great beauty"; "Giovanni taught everyone with loving kindness"; "Venice, his native land", as stated by Vasari who praises Bellini.

What did Peter Humfrey state about the San Giobbe Altarpiece?

"adoption of Byzantine hieratic stillness and jewel-like richness, Bellini deliberately set his sacred scene apart from everyday experience", as stated by Peter Humfrey, who comments upon the "hieratic stillness" of the figure of the Virgin Mary. Moreover, Humfrey comments upon how this altarpiece is relatable yet separated from the viewer, thus heightening its religious importance.

What did Peter Humfrey state about the San Giobbe Altarpiece on Grove Art online?

"effect is neither sculptural nor intellectual, but one of sensuous realism and gentle spirituality that is entirely Venetian"; Humfrey is harsh on Bellini, and thus undermines the intellectual side of the Altarpiece.

What is the San Giobbe altarpiece made on?

Oil on panel.

What is the composition of San Giobbe Altarpiece?

It is a sacra conversazione, it is formal and closed, despite the sense of movement. Moreover, it is symmetrical, as the Madonna and child are flanked by saints with angels at the base of the throne.

What is the Colour of San Giobbe Altarpiece?

Warm rich hues, heavily saturated, with the use of expensive pigments, as well as naturalistic.

What is the Pictorial Space of San Giobbe Altarpiece?

Bellini uses single point perspective. There is a deep space due to the illusion created by the foreshortened barrel vault. The apsidal ending adds depth. Foreshortened lutes add depth.

What is the light and tone of San Giobbe Altarpiece?

The San Giobbe Altarpiece, is lit from the side, (playing on real light entering from windows and a door). There is an increased luminosity in the upper register. It is also tonal and naturalistic, due to the influence of Humanism and antiquity. The figures are modelled in light.

What is the Form of San Giobbe Altarpiece?

The form, is soft, yet sculptural. The forms are also idealised, the figures are modelled in light. The drapery is employed to create mass. The form is also painterly rather than linear.

What is the Line of San Giobbe Altarpiece?

There is a clear central axis. It has a pyramidal structure that therefore reflects geometry. There are guidelines, which are created by the arms of the Saints, Sebastian's arrow and the lutes. The use of curved lines create sensuality. The architecture is also more strongly linear and rigid.

What is the Scale of San Giobbe Altarpiece?

There is a sense of vast space created by the barrel vault. The figures are life-sized but also seem to be even taller due to the height of piers. The small decorative details act as a foil. The scale is also 4.71m x 2.58m.

What is the Texture, Pattern, Ornamentation and Decoration of San Giobbe Altarpiece?

There is a Byzantine throne and architecture. It is Venetian in terms of strong interest in surface pattern and decoration, (mosaic, coloured marble, carving/moulding). There is an excess of surface pattern and decoration which is exotic and uniquely Venetian.

What is the Materials, Techniques and Processes of San Giobbe Altarpiece?

It is oil on panel. The potential of oil enhances light and sensuality of Venice exploited to fullest. The San Giobbe Altarpiece was the first altarpiece in Venice to be painted in oil.

How does the composition relate to the concept of the 'Sacra Conversazione'?

The altarpiece is a Venetian sacra conversazione as it depicts Mary and Jesus being flanked by saints, while also showing an extremely important example of 15th century Venetian painting. The composition is also symmetrical and is formal and closed despite the sense of movement with the angels at the base of the throne and the saints on either side. Bellini uses single point perspective with the saints aligning either side of Mary to create orthogonals. These meet in a vanishing point located close to Jesus as he sits on Mary's lap. This use of single point perspective displays very strongly how Bellini had absorbed the innovations in mathematical perspective from Florence, also creating a "hieratic stillness and jewel-like richness," as stated by Peter Humfrey. The sacra conversazione presents a high degree of focus on the virgin Mary, emphasised that Venice was founded on the 25th of March, The Feast Day of the Annunciation.

In what ways do scale and colour celebrate both the Virgin Mary and the city of Venice?

Bellini uses warm rich hues and local pigments to recall Venice's success in trade and emphasises the typical Venetian style as it creates softness. The use of gold was very expensive which highlighted the wealth of Venice that was generated by trade. The manipulation of scale and monumental architectural setting emphasises the Virgin's importance and majesty. There is a sense of vast space created by the barrel vault and the life-sized standing figures seen even taller due to the height of the piers and the barrel vault enhancing the prestige and power of the confraternity of St Job, creating a statement of "Venice's cultural identity," as stated by Peter Humfrey. Therefore, scale and colour effectively celebrate both the Virgin Mary and the city of Venice through its historical recollections and flamboyant expensive pigments.

Why can the space be said to be both naturalistic and illusionistic? Why can both types of space be found in this painting?

Bellini uses single point perspective to highlight the virgin Mary and the myth of Venice through the emphasis of the Annunciation. This use of single point perspective displays very strongly how Bellini had absorbed the innovations in mathematical perspective from Florence. Additionally, the use of foreshortening seen in the lutes and barrel vaults creates depth, therefore creates illusionistic and naturalistic space. Both types of space can be found, as Bellini wanted to create a simulation of the chapel which was his second innovation. His dramatic use of simulated architecture to re-create the real physical space of the chapel in the church of San Giobbe, created a real relationship with the physical space of the church, which was really important because the Doge Cristoforo Moro was buried here beneath the chancel. Therefore, this created a sense of "realism and gentle spirituality," as stated by Grove Art.

Explain the role of light and tone in relation to the 'Myth of Venice'?

The figures are modelled in light coming the left side which plays with the real light entering form the windows and the doors creating an illusion, which reflects god and enhances the religious importance of the spiritual figures, such as St Job, St Sebastian, the Virgin Mary and Jesus, which connects the altarpiece to the chapel which located near the plague hospital. This relationship with light reflects Venice's strong relationship with light and water, this is further exemplified by the location of the church which was situated on the water's edge of the canal, therefore displaying the myth of Venice. This use of light also enhances the 'jewel-like richness' of the pigments used, as stated by Peter Humphrey, created by Bellini's use of oil, which reflects Venice's relationship with Byzantium and the East as well as their successful trade routes and wealth, therefore displaying the myth of Venice. Overall, the role of light and tone is used to reflect the 'Myth of Venice'.

Where can we see the influence of the Florentine Renaissance in the treatment of line and form? How can this influence also be linked to Humanism but in a uniquely Venetian context?

Due to Donatello's trip to Padua in 1440s, the influence of Humanism and Renaissance reached Venice. The San Giobbe altarpiece was described as 'neither sculptural nor intellectual', by Peter Humphrey, however Bellini's innovative use of single point perspective, can be seen with the saints flanking either side of Mary to create orthoganol' leading the eye to the vanishing point, of Jesus sitting on Marys lap, thus enhancing the religious importance of the altarpiece and the annunciation which marked the founding day of Venice, 25th March. The influence of Humanism can be also seen in the sculptural forms of the figures which is enhanced by the figures being modelled in light, highlighting their anatomical accuracy and idealised forms. The use of light also illuminates St Sebastian and his contrapposto pose, further highlighting the influence of Humanism.

What is significant about the San Giobbe altarpiece and what type of development does it show?

San Giobbe is a Sacra Conversazione and marks a dramatic development in comparison with the Sain Mark Altarpiece by Vivarini, 1476.

Who influence Bellini with the use of the canopy?

Bellini may also have been influenced by Piero della francesca's Montefeltro Altarpiece, especially in the use of the hanging canopy.

What in the altarpiece, highlighted the wealth of Venice?

The use of gold as well as very expensive pigments highlighted the wealth of Venice that was generated by trade.

How does Bellini create orthoganol'?

Bellini uses single point perspective with the Saints, aligning either side of Mary to create orthogonal'. These meet at a vanishing point, located close to Jesus as he sits on Marys lap.

What does the use of single point perspective show about Bellini?

The use of single point perspective displays very strongly how Bellini had absorbed the innovations in

What other illusion did Bellini create within the church of San Giobbe?

Bellini's second innovation was the dramatic use of simulated architecture to recreate the real physical space of the chapel in the church of San Giobbe. This illusionism is called trompe l'oeil.

Why was creating a real relationship with the church of San Giobbe important?

Creating a real relationship with the physical space of the church, was really important because the Doge Cristoforo Moro was buried here beneath the chancel.