Madonna of the Harpies

The Harpyienmadonna is an altarpiece by the Italian painter Andrea del Sarto. It is considered his masterpiece.

The order

According to the contract, which the painter had closed on 14 May 1515 the overseer of the Beguine Convent of the Franciscan Sisters of San Francesco dei Macci, he was to paint an altarpiece with a Coronation of the Virgin and Saint John (Evangelist ) and Bonaventure and deliver within a year. He has delivered but two years later an image of the Madonna with the infant Jesus on a polygonal base, two angels and the Saints John and Francis. The base, which bears an inscription panel is decorated with mythical animals, the Harpies, who encouraged Giorgio Vasari to the name Harpyienmadonna, under which it is known for.

After the image had first served the nuns as an altarpiece, it was bought by Ferdinando de ' Medici by the nuns for his art collection - in exchange for a copy by Francesco Petrucci and the complete renovation of their church.

Description

The Madonna stands on a classicizing base which is placed in front of a stone niche on a curved pedestal. On her right arm she carries the infant Jesus, who tenderly clings to the mother's shoulder. The weight of the boy compensates for them with the advanced game leg, on which it was founded a book. The two little cherubs they seem to support with all his strength. She is dressed in a bright red robe from which the bright yellow tunic poking the arm and in a silken blue jacket. To her shoulder she has swung a gold-colored cloth onto which the white head veil falls loose.

It is accompanied by the Holy Francis, who turns to her though, but at the same time looking at the viewer. He is dressed in a gray frock -rich and holding in his hand the cross. The differentiated color match the gray cowl is a variation and at the same link to the background all decorated in shades of gray. To the left of the Madonna is a youthful and athletic John, dressed in a purple - gray tunic and a bright red, is sumptuously billowing coat that models the body of the saint in all his wrinkles wealth. In his hand he holds the Gospel book, and he also looks at the viewer.

The outstanding quality of Andreas del Sarto's picture was already appreciated by Vasari. The painter is here at the height of his powers. It combines a monumental figure, reminiscent of Michelangelo view with atmospheric density and apparently by his stay in Venice trained color brilliance that became visible again after the restoration of 1984.

Interpretation

A key to the image is the inscription on the pedestal. These are the opening verses of a hymn in honor of the resurrection of Mary. So he is a - albeit unusual - Resurrection Madonna. Now also unlocks the meaning of the peculiar support motif of the two angels: they help to the Assumption of Mary.

The unusual and striking mythical creatures at the base could relate to the book of Revelation. So it says: When the dragon saw that he was cast out into the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the Son. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place. (Revelation 12/13-14. )

The image is simultaneously an example of the cult of Mary of the Franciscan Sisters.