<i>Devotion by Design: Italian Altarpieces before 1500</i> (review)
Jennifer Hammerschmidt
Reviewed by: Devotion by Design: Italian Altarpieces before 1500 Jennifer Hammerschmidt Scott Nethersole, (London: Yale University Press 2011) 128 pp. Design is a practical introduction to altarpieces, presenting brief but informative look at the history and function of selected works from thirteenth fifteenth centuries artists such as Fra Angelico, Benozzo Gozzoli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Andrea Mantegna. Nethersole examines altarpieces art objects material objects, taking particular interest in their physical construction. He explores aspects structure design how they were assembled, well materials techniques used production. includes images photographed back, so that process construction can be made more visible. also considers different forms like polyptych, or altarpiece with multiple panels, pala, an single, unified field. investigates functions original contexts, observing differently appear museum settings today than appeared historically, above altars churches. This book accompanies National Gallery’s 2011 exhibition [End Page 247] Design, show comprised mainly own collections. Building on his survey proceeds explore these came be: who commissioned them, created social might have served. commission for kind contract, emphasizing production collaborative effort between painters, patrons, carpenters, others involved creation. argues reflect not only interests patron, her position; here he individual patronage group patronage. discusses, example, Confraternity Purification Virgin Saint Zenobius contracted Gozzoli’s Altarpiece (1461–1462). Through exploration confraternity’s ritual religious activities (such celebration Mass performance sacred plays) devotion Zenobius, effectively demonstrates became visual expression Confraternity’s corporate spirit. devotes chapter provenance which plays vital role understanding we see them today. Many cut apart late eighteenth nineteenth sale market. As result, museums often display pieces what once much larger elaborate works. discusses recent efforts reconstruct dismembered offers some poignant visualizations looked being apart. With surviving parts inserted puzzle into altarpieces’ framework, helps reader imagine large originally appeared; same time, blank spaces demonstrate work has been lost. emphasizes this way seeing conveyed are exhibited While Nethersole’s materiality special historians, clear accessible nonspecialists. In addition, discussion raises many interesting rich questions examines. seem basic first—for do know was altarpiece?—Nethersole carefully, offering insights difficulty providing definitive answers. By engaging audiences (the viewers today), prompts readers reexamine altarpieces. History Art Architecture, UC Santa Barbara Copyright © 2012 Regents California
Comitatus-a Journal of Medieval and Renaissance Studies