medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Not that 15th- or early 16th-century Italians were all in lock-step behind Mantegna on the matter of "ancient" versus "contemporary" clothing in such scenes. Here is a Deposition by Guido Mazzoni dated 1477-80:
http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/art/m/mazzoni/guido/lamentat.jpg
In 1492 Mazzoni executed a rather similar one, also with life-size figures in comtemporary dress, for a chapel in the Benedictine monastic church of Santa Maria del Oliveto in Naples (now the parish church of Santa Anna dei Lombardi). This church was patronized by members of the royal family and other leading members of Neapolitan "society" and it is thought that figures in this Deposition are "realistic" portraits of various royals dressed as conventional figures in what by now must have been a very traditional scene. One might suppose that a dialectical relationship existed between the staging of liturgical performances on the one hand and, on the other, sculptural and pictorial treatments of these scenes. But what the precise nature of that relationship may have been for a particular artist engaged in fulfilling a specific commission is probably beyond recovery (in most instances, at least).
Here's a handy set of links to a whole bunch of medieval and early modern Pieta's, Lamentations, Depositions, etc.:
http://www.textweek.com/art/pieta.htm
Best,
John Dillon
On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 09:46:41 -0500 Christopher Crockett wrote:
>Pat McIntosh-Spinnler <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
...
>>Christ is usually depicted in a loincloth, Mary and John in 'Biblical' dress,
>but everyone else is in rich contemporary clothing.
>
>mmmmm.... well, Jesus is dressed for his role (and, therefore, is in both
>"Period Costume" and "Contemporary Dress") ; but i don't recall Mary & John
>being dressed differently from the other members of the cast.
>
>seems like everyone is in "contemporary" (i.e., early 16th c.) dress.
>
>>I realise this is the convention of the time
>
>yes, the same can be seen in contemporary paintings --though we are right at
>the period when Italian influence came North, and the Italians had been into
>reproducing "antique" costume for some time (Mantegna, etc.).
>
>>but is it the convention because that's how it looked on the cart at Easter?
>
>i wouldn't be surprised at all if there were some connection between these
>tableaux and Easter liturgies, plays, etc., but i know nothing about it
>directly.
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