Description
The Polyptych of St Emidio is a masterpiece by Italian artist Carlo Crivelli, dating from the 15th century and currently housed in the National Gallery of the Marches in Italy. This painting is a depiction of the life of Saint Emidio, the patron saint of Ascoli Piceno, Italy.
One of the most notable features of Crivelli's artistic style in this work is his attention to detail. Each figure is carefully outlined and you can see every fold in the clothing, every wrinkle in the skin, and every detail in the objects that surround the characters. The use of the reverse perspective technique is also evident in the work, meaning that objects closer to the viewer are rendered in greater detail and objects further away are rendered in less detail.
The composition of the painting is very interesting, as it is divided into several sections. In the upper part, God the Father and the angels in heaven are represented, while in the lower part are the saints and the faithful. In the center of the painting is Saint Emidio, who is the main character of the work.
Color is also a prominent aspect of this painting. Crivelli used a very vibrant and rich color palette, including shades of gold, red, green and blue. These colors are used to emphasize the importance of the characters and to create a feeling of wealth and opulence.
An interesting story behind the painting is that it is believed to have been commissioned by the Traversari family, a noble family from Ascoli Piceno. It is also said that the work was stolen by Napoleon Bonaparte during the Italian war and taken to France, where it was eventually returned to Italy after Napoleon's defeat.
Regarding lesser-known aspects, we can highlight the presence of various symbolic elements in the painting, such as the presence of a unicorn and a lion, which represent purity and strength, respectively. You can also see a Latin inscription at the bottom of the painting that reads "Carlo Crivelli, the painter, did this in the year 1473."
In short, the Polyptych of St Emidio is an impressive work of art that showcases the technical and artistic skill of Carlo Crivelli. Its detailed style and use of vibrant colors make the painting an Italian Renaissance masterpiece. In addition, its history and the symbolic elements present in the work make it a fascinating painting to study and appreciate.