San Zeno Altarpiece (Mantegna)

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San Zeno Altarpiece
Andrea Mantegna, 1457-1460
Panel
212 × 460 cm
Basilica di San Zeno, Verona

The San Zeno Altarpiece is a triptych by the Italian Renaissance painter Andrea Mantegna, from c. 1457-1460. It is located in the Basilica di San Zeno, the main church of Verona. The three predellas have been stripped by the French in 1797, and are now replaced by copies. The originals are now in the Louvre (Crucifixion) and in the Museum of Tours.

The work was commissioned by the Abbot Gregorio Correr. In the centre is the Madonna enthroned with the Child, portrayed according the Byzantine iconography of the Victorious Madonna and surrounde by chanting angels. Eight saints are placed at the sides, according the commissioner's preferences: on the right are Peter, Paul, John the Evangelist and Zeno; on right, Benedict, Lawrence, Gregory and John the Baptist.

The entire composition is full of detail referring to classical Antiquity: the frieze with the angels which hold two garlands or the throne, which reminds a sarcophagus. The frame, probably designed by Mantegna himself, is the original one.

[edit] Gallery

Left panel, 213 x 134 cm.	Central panel, 212 x 125 cm.	Right panel, 213 x 135 cm.	Detail of the Madonna.
Detail of the left panel.	Detail of the central panel.	Detail of the right panel.