Our Lady of the Mantle
In 1444, Domenico di Bartolo painted the Madonna of Mercy in the Chapel of Relics, which later became a place of veneration. In 1610, the fresco was transferred to the Old Sacristy. During the 1969 restoration, preparatory sketches and hidden side panels were discovered.
In 1444, Domenico di Bartolo painted the Madonna della Misericordia in the Chapel of Relics, which later became a place of veneration. In 1610, the fresco was transferred to the Old Sacristy. During the restoration in 1969, preparatory sketches and hidden side panels were discovered.
In 1444, Domenico di Bartolo painted the Madonna della Misericordia in the Chapel of Relics, which later became a place of veneration. In 1610, the fresco was transferred to the Old Sacristy. During the restoration in 1969, preparatory sketches and hidden side panels were discovered.
Our Lady of the Mantle
In 1444, Domenico di Bartolo, one of the most prolific and active artists within the hospital, was commissioned to fresco a Madonna della Misericordia inside the 14th-century Chapel of the Relics, which from that moment took on the name Cappella del Manto and became a place of veneration for the work. The fresco was placed above the “graticola di chiesa,” through which the double-locked chest containing the sacra pignora purchased by the hospital in 1359 could be glimpsed. In 1610, the fresco was cut out and transferred to the Old Sacristy, where it was installed beneath the late 15th-century tabernacle, as confirmed by the inscription below. Under the right side of the mantle, the fresco depicts the pope, the hospital rector, and representatives of various religious orders to the right of the Virgin, and the emperor and the lay community to her left. The figures of the pope, the rector, and the emperor can be identified as Eugene IV, the rector Francesco di Giovanni Buzzichelli—promoter of the intense artistic activity within the hospital during the 1440s—and Emperor Sigismund, all figures previously portrayed by the artist in the Pellegrinaio frescoes. In 1969, during restoration, the fresco was detached from the wall, allowing the discovery, hidden in a niche, of its sinopia and the two lateral wings that had been cut during the transfer and placement beneath the marble canopy. The preparatory drawing confirms the artist’s use of a compositional scheme from the Sienese tradition, from Duccio di Buoninsegna to Ambrogio Lorenzetti.
Related Artworks
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Story of blessed Sorore
The fresco depicts the story of Sorore and is prominently displayed today on the left side, above the door leading to the aisles of Sant'Ansano and San Galgano.
The fresco depicts the story of Sorore and is prominently displayed today on the left side, above the door leading to the aisles of Sant'Ansano and San Galgano.
Enlargement of the hospital
The fresco in the third bay of the Pellegrinaio depicts a construction site related to the hospital, with an octagonal building in the background and a portico where workers are engaged in their tasks.
The fresco in the third bay of the Pellegrinaio depicts a construction site related to the hospital, with an octagonal building in the background and a portico where workers are engaged in their tasks.
Agostino Novello gives the habit to the rector
The fresco by Priamo della Quercia located in the Pellegrinaio, in the fourth bay on the right, represents the blessed Agostino Novello presenting the Augustinian habit to the Rector. Among the characters, the emperor John VIII Palaiologos can be recognized.
The fresco by Priamo della Quercia located in the Pellegrinaio, in the fourth bay on the right, represents the blessed Agostino Novello presenting the Augustinian habit to the Rector. Among the characters, the emperor John VIII Palaiologos can be recognized.
The Pope grants an indulgence
The fresco in the fifth bay on the right located in the Pellegrinaio depicts Eugene IV handing a scroll to Carlo d'Agnolino Bartoli. In the background, Oriental and African figures can be seen.
The fresco in the fifth bay on the right located in the Pellegrinaio depicts Eugene IV handing a scroll to Carlo d'Agnolino Bartoli. In the background, Oriental and African figures can be seen.