GHIRLANDAIO, Domenico
(b. 1449, Firenze, d. 1494, Firenze)

Coronation of the Virgin

1486
Tempera on wood
Pinacoteca Comunale, Città di Castello

The Coronation in Città di Castello is untypical of Ghirlandaio because of its limited palette: its impact is derived primarily from the contrast of various shades of blue and red with a few yellow highlights. In contrast with the old-fashioned picture in Narni, only the female saints in the centre are kneeling; three holy men are standing on each side of them. This emphasizes the circular glory composed of airy shades of blue, giving the work a dynamic and animated character. The saints on this picture are mainly ones from the Franciscan order. On the far left stands the founder of the order, St Francis of Assisi.

This altarpiece is not an autographed work, it was probably made by the workshop.