Andrea Mantegna, San Zeno Altarpiece

Andrea Mantegna, San Zeno Altarpiece, 1456-59, oil on panel, 212 x 460 cm / 83 x 180 inches, comissioned by the Benedictine Abbot, Gregorio Correr (Basilica of San Zeno, Verona). Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.

[@Sasha0927]

I love this. The way bb Jesus is posed, throwing his little arm over his mama's shoulder, is very cute. Mary holding his chubby little foot is sweet too. I believe heaven is diverse and really appreciate the distinct appearances of everyone in this scene. Bonus for John the Baptist looking as great as he does - head on, dressed well, not utterly miserable. 😋

[@danielasarzo9238]

From Verona with love 🇮🇹

[@L-mo]

I first saw works of Andrea Mantegna on my frequent visits to Hampton Court in west London where I grew up. The Triumphs of Caesar are nine huge paintings that are in the Mantegna gallery commissioned by the Gonzaga-Este family in Mantova, Charles I of England purchased them and brought them to Hampton Court Palace, where they’ve remained for nearly 400 years. The works speak to the artist’s fascination with antiquity - specifically Ancient Rome. If you needed an extra reason to visit Hampton Court (my favourite royal palace in the UK) this is it!

[@donaldcatton4028]

Best photography….

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Thank you.

[@danielasarzo9238]

If you love Mantegna see "Cristo morto" , Accademia di Brera, Milano❤️

[@peroz1000]

Fantastic! Keep up the good work.

[@scottmingus7456]

This is the first time that I have heard any mention of the person responsible for the frame, in this case it was possibly Mantegna. Why is it that the artists responsible for the frames on these altarpieces or panels are never mentioned? Judging by the detail and the gilding on some of these frames I would think that they were just as costly to the patron, or even more so, than what the painting itself was yet I have never heard or read any analysis of a frame or who was responsible.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Frames are fascinating but a specialized business. And of course they can be changed over time. See the excellent frame blog for more.

[@08bourquem]

I feel like they are announcing a figure skating routine,

[@sirwinston2659]

Mantegna was such a genius, why is he not spoken in the same breath as Da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo? Is it because he was not a Florentine?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

It may be because one of his most important works of art, a large fresco cycle was destroyed during WWII. Learn more here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmSpo3iOgqeSjck

[@sirwinston2659]

@@smarthistory-art-history That's interesting - i'll give it a watch. What made this particular fresco cycle so important in comparison to his other works, though?