LORENZO VENEZIANO
(active 1356-1372 in Venice)

Polyptych of Santa Maria della Celestia

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Tempera on wood, 72 x 29 cm (centre), 31 x 13 cm (each side panel)
Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan

The painter's style was certainly influenced by contacts with Emilian painting and above all by the works by Guariento. The polyptych, originating from the Venetian monastery of Santa Maria della Celestia, shows the typical characteristics of the artist's style, it is basically decorative as shown by the rich ornamentation of the Virgin's throne.

The central panel represents the Enthroned Virgin and Child with Angels, while the side panels depict Sts Catherine of Alexandria and St Nicholas (bottom left), Sts Mark and Lucy (bottom right), Sts Anthony Abbot and John the Baptist (top left), Sts Andrew and Victor (top right).