The time box, featuring the Fiammenghini + anonymus lombard artist from the XIV century

 

On the right wall of the right transept in the Chiesa di San Marco in Milan, a precious cycle of frescoes from the XIV century was found around 1956, in occasion of the relocation of the Settala’s marble tomb. These paintings had been covered for four hundred years by another fresco by the Fiammenghini, which represents Pope Alexander VII while establishing the Augustinian order. Now the two paintings coexist, thus creating a strange kind of time box which contains events occurred at a considerable distance.

 

According to recent studies the author of the earlier frescoes is still unknown, even if works by the same painter have been spotted in two other Milanese churches, San Lorenzo and Sant’Eustorgio. Scholars assert that his style is inspired to Giovanni da Milano and Giotto and underline the realism of the characters he depicts.

 

That of the crucifixion is a typical theme of the mendicant religious orders, like the one inspired by Saint Augustin. This latter character is indeed painted on the right side of the cross and seems to be addressing to Jesus Christ, or perhaps to the angel on the left side who is collecting Jesus’ blood. The Saint is dressed with the black vest adopted by the Augustinian order and the episcopal tiara. The character in front of him is Mary Magdalene, while above her a woman is supporting the Holy Mary who, due to the suffering, has passed out. The character with the beard at the back of Augustin is probably Saint Anthony the Abbot. The scroll reports a passage from the New Testament.

 

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, «Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing». (Lu, 23, 33-34).

September 7, 2014