Description
The painting Funeral of St Augustine (scene 17, south wall) by the artist Benozzo Gozzoli is a work that stands out for its Renaissance artistic style and the complexity of its composition. This work is located in the Basilica of Saint Augustine in Pavia, Italy, and its original size is 440 cm.
The painting represents the funeral of Saint Augustine, one of the fathers of the Catholic Church, and is made up of a multitude of characters moving in different directions. The composition is very dynamic and shows a great amount of detail, such as the decorations of the clothes, the funerary objects and the architectural elements that surround the scene.
Color is another notable aspect of this work, as Gozzoli uses a rich and varied palette that contrasts dark with bright tones and warm with cool colors. Furthermore, the artist uses the chiaroscuro technique to create depth and volume in the scene.
The history of the painting is also interesting, as it was commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Gonzaga in the 15th century to decorate the chapel of Saint Augustine in the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro in Pavia. Subsequently, the work was transferred to the Basilica of San Agustín, where it is currently located.
A little known aspect of this work is that Gozzoli included in the scene some of the most important figures of the time, such as Pope Nicholas V and the humanist Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who attended the funeral of Saint Augustine in 430 AD.
In summary, the painting Funeral of St Augustine (scene 17, south wall) by Benozzo Gozzoli is a work that stands out for its Renaissance style, its complex composition, its rich color palette and its interesting history.