Piety with Saint Jerome and Saint Mary Magdalene – Perugia
The painting was conceived as a processional banner and it was originally used during Lenten processions. The banner was made for the Franciscan convent of Farneto (between Gubbio and Perugia), and it was placed on the right wall of the Church of Osservanti; in 1867 it was removed from the church, as a consequence of the demanialization of ecclesiastical properties.
The scene, whose composition is inspired by the sculptural wooden groups Vesperbild popular in the German area and present in Umbria especially as banners, shows the moment after the dramatic death of Christ, supported by a monumental grieving Virgin. Her figure coincides with the summit of a triangular composition, whose sides correspond with Saint Jerome in prayer, flanked by the lion, and a refined Mary Magdalene, with long, loose hair.
In the background, some rocks stand out on both sides, opening on a countryside landscape.
The work is preserved at the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria.
