Christ in a Mandorla, with the instruments of the Passion, with St. Stephen and St. Lawrence below

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Christ in a Mandorla, with the instruments of the Passion, with St. Stephen and St. Lawrence below as painting (Italy · c. 1230s).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

This tabernacle was recognized as being by Berlinghiero while in the the collection of Adolphe Stoclet, a wealthy Belgian engineer and collector.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this painting as tempera and gold on wood and credits Berlinghiero (Italian, before 1242).

The museum's collection notes: This small altarpiece, intended for a domestic interior or private chapel, consists of three panels, allowing it to be folded and easily transported. Surrounding the Virgin and Child in the center are various saints. On the left is Saint Andrew crucified, with St. Francis and St. Paul below; on the right, Christ with the instruments of the Passion, and St. Stephen and St. Lawrence below. The long expressive lines that define the clothing and hands of the figures are typical of Byzantine painting, which spread from Constantinople to Italy in the Middle Ages. Berlinghiero is one of the earliest Italian painters known by name. He lived in Lucca,

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtChrist in a Mandorla, with the instruments of the Passion, with St. Stephen and St. Lawrence below

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