San Zeno Polyptych in Verona (1457-60)
by Andrea MANTEGNA

For the main altar of the Veronese church of San Zeno, Mantegna produced one of the finest and most influential altarpieces of the period. The altarpiece occupies a privileged position in the church, because the main altar area is raised above the level of the nave, and a special window was opened to increase the amount of light on the picture. The design of the elaborate gilt wood frame is probably based upon Donatello's high altar for the Paduan church dedicated to Saint Anthony, which, however, included bronze statues and reliefs rather than paintings. At the base are three large, nearly square predella scenes. The predella paintings are copies, the originals are in the Musée du Louvre, Paris and in the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Tours.

The central part represents the Madonna and Child Enthroned, the left part shows Saints Peter and Paul, Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Zeno, while the right part Saints Benedict, Lawrence, Gregory and John the Baptist.

Preview Picture Data Info
San Zeno Polyptych
1457-60
Tempera on panel, 480 x 450 cm
San Zeno, Verona


San Zeno Polyptych
1457-60
Tempera on panel, 480 x 450 cm
San Zeno, Verona


San Zeno Polyptych
1457-60
Tempera on panel, 480 x 450 cm
San Zeno, Verona


San Zeno Polyptych
1457-60
Tempera on panel, 480 x 450 cm
San Zeno, Verona


San Zeno Polyptych (central panel)
1457-60
Tempera on panel, 220 x 115 cm
San Zeno, Verona


San Zeno Polyptych (central panel)
1457-60
Tempera on panel, 220 x 115 cm
San Zeno, Verona


San Zeno Polyptych (central panel)
1457-60
Tempera on panel, 220 x 115 cm
San Zeno, Verona


San Zeno Polyptych (detail)
1457-60
Tempera on panel
San Zeno, Verona


San Zeno Polyptych (detail)
1457-60
Tempera on panel
San Zeno, Verona


San Zeno Polyptych (left part)
1457-60
Tempera on panel, 220 x 115 cm
San Zeno, Verona


San Zeno Polyptych (right part)
1457-60
Tempera on panel, 220 x 115 cm
San Zeno, Verona


San Zeno Polyptych (central panel, detail)
1457-60
Tempera on panel
San Zeno, Verona


San Zeno Polyptych (central panel, detail)
1457-60
Tempera on panel
San Zeno, Verona


Crucifixion
1457-59
Tempera on panel, 67 x 93 cm
Musée du Louvre, Paris


Crucifixion (detail)
1457-59
Tempera on panel
Musée du Louvre, Paris


Agony in the Garden
1457-59
Tempera on panel, 72 x 94 cm
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Tours


Agony in the Garden (detail)
1457-59
Tempera on panel
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Tours


Resurrection
1457-59
Tempera on panel, 71 x 94 cm
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Tours



Paintings by Andrea Mantegna
Paintings before 1460
Ovetari Chapel | San Luca Polyptych | San Zeno Polyptych
1460s | 1470s-80s | 1490s | 1500-06
Castello di San Giorgio | Camera degli Sposi | Triumphs of Caesar
Graphics | Sculptures



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