Madonna and Child with Saints PIETRO DA CORTONA c. 1622-1628

 
Oil on canvas.
 
Pietro da Cortona's works include exceptional, rich altarpieces which are a triumph of his exultant, Baroque style.  This painting was commissioned by the Passerini family for the church of S. Agostino in the painter's home town of Arezzo. Because the Passerini family were members of chivalrous orders, we see the Knights of St. Stephen [notice the cross on the cope of the pope, St. Stephen], the Knights of Malta [represented by the figure of John the Baptist and the cloak in the center] and the Order of Calatrava [St. James the Greater-----seen behind John the Baptist]. Although this is a quiet scene, there is a sense of vigor, almost as if the Saints were about to burst into song. The colors are also vivid. St. Francis of Assisi is the other figure before the Madonna and Child. This is Catholic Tradition's favorite work of da Cortona and we have displayed it often. It is in almost perfect condition and must be breathtaking to view in the original. We refuse to reduce its size so as to provide a full sense of its scope and dignity.

The Order of Calatrava was a lay military order to defend the faith in Spain in response to the conquests of the Moors; the lay brothers took religious vows, however and had papal approval. The patron was St. James the Greater. Pope St. Stephen the first was the Pontiff that declared [after a controversy with St. Cyprian over the matter] that heretics, if they intended to do what the Church intends, using the proper formula could validly Baptize. Until then some held yes and others, no [Cyprian].

Pietro da Cortona died in Rome, 1669.





HOME-----------GALLERIES-----------WEST-----------NORTH-----------EAST

www.catholictradition.org/Galleries/south13.htm