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Approaching renaissance religions
Howard, Peter
Howard, Peter
Author
Abstract
[Excerpt] The illustrative miniatures which adorn the cover of this volume, and the painting from which they are excised (see Fig. l.l), could well be claimed to preside over the volume's content. Commissioned from Gentile Bellini by the Scuola di San Marco in 1504 and destined to be hung above and behind where the confraternity leadership presided over meetings, this large-scale canvas panel of nearly twenty-seven square metres envisages the conversion of Alexandria to Christianity by the preaching of St Mark.' To today's informed viewer, the panoramic and imaginative re-creation of Alexandria draws together recognizably Eastern elements (minarets, camel, giraffe) as well as pointedly Venetian features, including the Temple that projects features of temple, mosque, and Venice's own basilica of San Marco. The members of the confraternity of San Marco stand in orderly array behind the saint, with Venetian bystanders mingling amongst the Mamluk Egyptians before the saint. While reminiscent of earlier paintings of preaching scenes, Bellini's image, in keeping with Venetian history pain ting, reflects the expansion of the world by the early sixteenth century.
Keywords
Date
2021
Type
Book chapter
Journal
Book
Renaissance religions : Modes and meanings in history
Volume
Issue
Page Range
13-44
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Theology and Philosophy
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Relation URI
Source URL
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Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
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Controlled