Italian Renaissance Dive

                                                                   ANDREA MANTEGNA (1431-1506) - 'Madonna della Vittoria', 1496 (tempera on canvas)

Piece Introduction

This piece is titled 'Madonna della Vittoria' by Andrea Mantegna.  When looking at this piece the humanism in it really stands out.  This painting was created to celebrate an unlikely victory over the French in 1495. That is why it has so many military attributes. The central focus here is essentially paying homage to Saint Elizabeth and Saint John (pictured in the chair in the center).  Humanism is first and foremost in this painting. The artist here is trying to equate the military's faith in the saints to their recent victory. This all but gives the credit of victory to the saints while ensuring that the military is shown as being servant and grateful. 

My Humble Opinion

I do not care for much of the art in this era and this painting isn't any exception.  Don't get me wrong the painting was done well for its era.  I just have never understood why people have to take all the hard work and determination of humans and give the glory to something else totally disregarding what it actually took for the feats to be accomplished. In all fairness, my issues aren't necessarily with the painting itself but the reasons that it was commissioned in the first place. What should have been commissioned is a painting paying homage to the soldiers on the battlefield, but in those times that just isn't how things worked out. 



Works cited

'“The Madonna Della Vittoria and the Painted Reliefs.” Mantegna Exhibition - Musée Du Louvre, Paris, mini-site.louvre.fr/mantegna/acc/xmlen/section_7_0.html. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. 

Italian Renaissance Art - Humanism, Arty Factory, www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/art_movements/italian-renaissance/italian-renaissance-art-humanism.html. Accessed 20 Feb. 2024. 




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