Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Altichiero versus Avanzo

1977; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 45; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/s0068246200009235

2045-239X

Robin Simon,

Architecture and Art History Studies

The late P. Antonio Sartori published a great number of documents concerning the Chapel of S. Giacomo (now S. Felice) in the Santo, Padua, and the nearby Oratory of S. Giorgio. To him, they proved the sole authorship of Altichiero of both fresco decorations, and the final impossibility of Avanzo's having been his collaborator. However, although the crucial documents concerning Altichiero were published in his 1963 article, both the most recent major discussions of this subject have produced variations on the collaboration theory. The documents have still not been fully discussed. Such a discussion will result in a much clearer dating of the frescoes and in the clarification of the position concerning the possible intervention of Avanzo. This latter purpose will also be aided by a more thorough examination of the attributional history of the two chapels than has hitherto been undertaken. Briefly, the most important of the documents show that in 1379 Altichiero was paid by Bonifacio Lupi for painting the Chapel of S. Giacomo and its sacristy, and that on 30 May, 1384, Altichiero and Bonifacio Lupi mutually agreed that each had fulfilled his part of the contract for Altichiero's decoration of S. Giorgio. This latter included the decoration of the tomb of the man who had originally commissioned the work from Altichiero, Raimondino Lupi, who had died on 30 November, 1379, leaving Bonifacio as his commissary. The initial contract for building the chapel of S. Giacomo is dated 12 February, 1372.