AUTHOR: Jacopo Negretti known as Palma il Giovane
CENTURY: XVI°
CHURCH: Church of San Giacomo dall’Orio
DATe: 1580-81
POSITION: old sacristy – altar (on map n°24)
METHOD: oil painting on canvas
This piece interrupts the continuity of the Eucharist series and gives a more documentary feel: the Virgin and Child is presented to Giovanni Maria da Ponte, the Vicar that commissioned Palma il Giovane to complete the entire pictorial decoration in the sacristy.
The saints in the scene were chosen based on Vicar Da Ponte’s biografical progression, information revealed by the critic Moschini. St James refers to Da Ponte’s role as church Vicar in San Giacomo da l’Orio, assumed in 1567. Pope Saint Silvestro alludes to the role as dean of the Congregation of Saint Silvestro, obtained in May 1577. Lastly, Saint Mark refers to his designation as Canon in the Ducal Basilica.
