MEDIEVAL IMAGES OF SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX - PA031.jpg

Category Painting
Origin: artist/workshop Giovanni del Ponte (c 1385-1437)
Date 15C/1
Reference No NG 580
Size 166.4x249.6 (excluding predella & pinnacles)
Provenance Pratovecchio, Camaldolese nuns' church of S Giovanni Evangelista
Present Location London, National Gallery
Bibliography Baker & Henry 1995, 268; Davies 1961, 246; Fremantle 1975, 360; Gordon 2003, 104-17

Paffrath 1990, 43; Berenson 1963, 91; Iconografia di San Benedetto 1982, 263-4
Illustration From Baker & Henry 1995, 746; Fremantle 1975, ill 738
Other illustrations Paffrath 1990, 43; Gordon 2003, 105 (detail 115)

Iconografia di San Benedetto 1982, ill 158
Country Italy
Description:
Triptych, tempera on wood, of The Ascension of Saint John the Evangelist with Saints painted c 1410-20 by Giovanni del Ponte, probably the high altarpiece of the Camaldolese nuns' church of S Giovanni Evangelista at Pratovecchio. Christ is shown in the central panel with Old Testament figures raising up John the Evangelist to heaven. The saints on the wings are identified by the inscriptions: on the left Bernard (S. BER[NARDUS]), Scolastica, Benedict, and John the Baptist, on the right Peter, Romuald of Camaldoli with book (S.RVMV), Catherine of Alexandria, and Jerome with the cardinal's hat. On the left pilaster, top to bottom, are a male saint with a staff and a book inscribed, Cosmas, Francis, and Apollonia, on the right pilaster, Nicholas of Bari, Damian, Margaret, and Viridiana. The predella shows three scenes from the life of St John the Evangelist. Bernard is nimbed, bearded, in a white cowl, and carrying a red book.