Madonna of the Zodiac
The Madonna of the Zodiac (Italian - Madonna dello Zodiaco) is a c.1459-1463 tempera on panel painting by Cosmè Tura, named after the partly-lost gold outline of a zodiac behind the Madonna, alluding to Christ's role as "chronocrator" (lord of cosmic time)[1][2]. It is now in the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice.
It originated in Merlana and once belonged to the Bertoldi family. It may have been produced for the historic chapel of San Nicola (now destroyed, with only one capital remaining), which for a long while was a private oratory of the Bertoldi family. At the base is the inscription "SVIGLIA EL TUO FIGLIO DOLCE MADRE PIA / PER FAR INFIN FELICE L'ALMA MIA"[3]. Above the work is a lunette with angels holding IHS, a symbol promoted by Bernardino of Siena.
References
- ^ (in Italian) Matilde Battistini, Simboli e Allegorie, Electa, Milano 2002. ISBN 9788843581740
- ^ "Catalogue entry" (in Italian).
- ^ "Article on the painting".