MANTEGNA, Andrea
(b. 1431, Isola di Carturo, d. 1506, Mantova)

Monogram of Christ with Sts Anthony and Bernard

1452
Fresco mounted on wood, base 316 cm
Museo Antoniano, Padua

This fresco was originally a decoration for the lunette over the central entrance to the Santo in Padua, which is why the emblem is supported on the left by one of the saints most revered in that city. On the right, St Bernard is portrayed: it was from his Latin description Iesus Hominum Salvator that the central abbreviation for the name of Christ originated: IHS. As the fresco was heavily restored in the 18th century, it is now barely possible to discern Mantegna's picture.




© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.