Coronation of the Virgin Altarpiece facts for kids
The Coronation of the Virgin Altarpiece is a beautiful painting made up of five separate parts. It was created by a famous Italian artist named Moretto da Brescia around the year 1534. This special artwork shows important religious scenes.
The main part of the altarpiece is called Coronation of the Virgin with Saints Michael, Joseph, Francis of Assisi and Nicholas of Bari. It shows Mary being crowned in heaven. Another part, God the Father, is above it. These two pieces are still in the Santi Nazaro e Celso church in Brescia, Italy.
Other parts of the altarpiece include two round paintings showing Gabriel and the Virgin Mary. Together, these two roundels form a scene called the Annunciation, where an angel tells Mary she will have a baby. There's also a lower section called a predella, which shows the Adoration of the Shepherds. These smaller pieces are kept in the church's rectory, which is like a house for the church's priests.
Contents
What is an Altarpiece?
An altarpiece is a work of art, often a painting or sculpture, placed behind the altar in a Christian church. It usually shows religious scenes or figures. These artworks help people focus during worship. They can be very large and have many different panels, like this one.
Who was Moretto da Brescia?
Moretto da Brescia was an important Italian painter from the Renaissance period. His real name was Alessandro Bonvicino. He lived from about 1498 to 1554. Moretto was known for his beautiful religious paintings. He often used soft colors and showed people with calm, thoughtful expressions. Many of his works can still be seen in churches and museums in Italy.
What are the Main Scenes in the Altarpiece?
This altarpiece tells several important stories from the Bible. Each part shows a different moment.
The Coronation of the Virgin
The central and largest part of the altarpiece shows the Coronation of the Virgin. This is a scene where the Virgin Mary is crowned as Queen of Heaven. She is often shown with God the Father and Jesus. In this painting, several saints are also present, including Saint Michael, Saint Joseph, Saint Francis of Assisi, and Saint Nicholas of Bari. These saints are important figures in Christian history.
The Annunciation
Above the main panel, there are two round paintings. One shows the angel Gabriel and the other shows the Virgin Mary. When put together, they form the Annunciation scene. This is when the angel Gabriel visits Mary to tell her she will give birth to Jesus. It is a very important moment in the Christian faith.
The Adoration of the Shepherds
At the very bottom of the altarpiece is a section called the predella. This part shows the Adoration of the Shepherds. In this scene, shepherds visit baby Jesus shortly after his birth. They have come to worship him in the stable. This part often includes details about the birth of Jesus.
Where is the Altarpiece Located?
The Coronation of the Virgin Altarpiece is found in Brescia, a city in Italy. Most of the artwork is still in the Santi Nazaro e Celso church. This church is a historic building. It has been home to this beautiful artwork for hundreds of years. The smaller parts are kept safely in the church's rectory.
