Restored in 1995 with Save Venice general funds.

In the fifteenth century, Francesco dei Franceschi painted a wooden panel that functioned as a cover for the back of the Pala d’Oro, the precious high altar retable of the Basilica di San Marco. Realized in gold, silver, Byzantine enamelwork, and precious jewels including emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and pearls, the Pala d’Oro was a spectacular sight to behold. In the same manner as the front of the altar, the back was only uncovered during the most important festivities at San Marco.

In 1614, Maffeo da Verona was commissioned to re-paint the fifteenth-century panel. Although he had to maintain the original compositional arrangement created by the partitions of the panel, the twisting, dynamic poses of many of the figures reflect the style of the late Renaissance. The Blessing Savior Enthroned is the central devotional image of the work, and is surrounded by the twelve apostles arranged in two rows. Each of the apostles is shown standing with his most recognizable attribute. In the upper register Saints Simon, James the Greater, and Peter are on the left of Christ; Saints John the Evangelist, Andrew, and Bartholomew are on the right. In the lower register Saints Jude Thaddeus, Thomas, and Matthias appear to the left of Christ; Saints Philip, Matthew, and James the Lesser are depicted on the right.

Today the custodia is displayed in the San Marco Museum, located on the upper level of the Basilica, in the former Sala dei Banchetti.

The work was restored by conservator Luigi Savio, with the guidance of project director Ettore Merkel of the Superintendency of Fine Arts of Venice.

For select projects, conservation dossiers in Italian containing limited textual and photographic documentation may be available for consultation by appointment at the Venice office of Save Venice and the Rosand Library & Study Center. For inquiries, please contact us at venice@savevenice.org.

Maffeo da Verona (1576 – 1618)
Custodia (Cover) for the Back of the Pala d’Oro
1614, oil on wood
135 x 247 cm

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