Description
The painting Griffoni Polyptych: St Peter and St John the Baptist by artist Francesco Del Cossa is an Italian Renaissance masterpiece housed in the Pinacoteca Nazionale in Bologna. This painting is part of a polyptych that originally consisted of nine panels, but only six of them survive today.
Del Cossa's artistic style is evident in this work, as it is characterized by the use of bright colors and attention to detail. The composition is striking, as the two saints are depicted in a naturalistic landscape with a brilliant blue sky and fluffy white clouds. The figure of Saint Peter is on the left side of the painting, while the figure of Saint John the Baptist is on the right side. Both are dressed in brightly colored robes and carry symbols of their holiness.
The color in this painting is vibrant and attractive. The bright, saturated colors of the saints' robes contrast with the light blue sky and white clouds. Furthermore, Del Cossa's technique in applying the paint is impressive, using a smooth and detailed brushwork technique to create textures and shadows.
The history of the painting is interesting, as it was commissioned by the Griffoni family of Bologna in the 15th century. The work was created as a polyptych for the family chapel in the church of San Petronio in Bologna. After the fall of the Griffoni family, the polyptych was dismantled and the pieces dispersed throughout Europe before being collected at the Pinacoteca Nazionale in Bologna.
A little known aspect of the painting is that del Cossa worked closely with the artist Ercole de' Roberti in creating the polyptych. Both artists were part of the Ferrara school and their collaboration on this project is evident in the cohesion of the panels.
In short, the painting Griffoni Polyptych: St Peter and St John the Baptist is an Italian Renaissance masterpiece noted for its artistic style, composition, color, and detailed technique. Its history and little-known aspects make it a fascinating work for lovers of art and history.