“Madonna and Child Between Saint Francis and Saint Nicasius” or “Castelfranco Madonna”
“Madonna and Child Between Saint Francis and Saint Nicasius”, also referred to as “Castelfranco Madonna”, is an oil on panel altarpiece painting by the Italian artist, Giorgione, from circa 1504.
Along with Titian, Giorgione was the founder of the Venetian School of the Italian Renaissance. He was one of the first artists to paint figures in the landscape that were in motion and not static. He was also the first to use such bright and brilliant colors. His paintings exhibit a more morose and poetic mood. All these features would soon typify the Venetian School.
In this painting, Giorgione masterfully depicts Madonna sitting upon a throne with the child, Jesus, on her lap. They are accompanied by Saint Francis on the right and Saint Nicasius on the left.
This altarpiece was commissioned by Tuzio Costanzo, in memory of his son. It was displayed inside a family chapel in Giorgione’s hometown of Castelfranco that was built to house the remains of both Tuzio and his son. The church was demolished and rebuilt as the Cathedral of Castelfranco in 1724. The altarpiece is back on display inside this small chapel along with the tomb of Tuzio’s son, as intended.
In 1972, the painting was stolen. It was recovered and restored in 2002.
“Madonna and Child Between Saint Francis and Saint Nicasius” or “Castelfranco Madonna” is currently on display at the Duomo di Castelfranco, or Cathedral of Castelfranco, in Veneto, Italy.
For more on Giorgione, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
