The “attractors”
Città della Pieve – Church of Santa Maria dei Servi
Via Beato Giacomo Villa, 5, 06062 Città della Pieve PG
Perugino, Deposition from the Cross and Lamentation over the dead Christ, 1517, frescoes, 890 x 417 cm and 760 x 393 cm, church of Santa Maria dei Servi, Città della Pieve
The two monumental frescoes, one depicting the Deposition of Christ while the other shows the Lamentation over the Dead Christ, were commissioned to Perugino by the Compagnia della Stella, which used to gather in this place of worship. The two works, both showing themes connected to the Passion of Jesus, were completed in 1517.
The fresco of the Deposition is still almost intact, except for the figures of Jesus and Nicodemus, which were destroyed as a result of the building of a choir; in the upper part, the dead body of Jesus, still partially held on the cross, is supported by two men, reaching him climbing on a ladder. On the left, some of the Pious Women are helpin the Virgin, who is fainting because of the pain, while on the other side saints and apostles are praying. The countryside landscape in the background recalls the Umbrian hills.
On the contrary, the fresco of the Lamentationis very lacking. Only the Eternal Father, within an almond of light surrounded by angels and, below, two painful figures are recognizable
Città della Pieve – Palazzo della Corgna
Piazza Gramsci, 06062 Città della Pieve PG
Palazzo della Corgna was built between 1555 and 1563 by order of the Marquis of Castiglione del Lago, Ascanio della Corgna, and his brother, Cardinal Fulvio, members of a family, that, over time, had been promoter of the construction of buildings of great value and importance in the Umbrian territory. Both Ascanio and Fulvio were Giacoma Ciocchi del Monte’s sons: Pope Julius III was her brother, and he assigned her the Lordship of “Castel di Pieve”.
The building does not contain works by Perugino but, thanks to its elegant frescoed rooms, it is the perfect place to organize exhibitions and initiatives dedicated to the painter.
Trevi – Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Lacrime
SP425, 2, 06039 Trevi PG
Perugia, Adoration of the Magi, fresco, 1521-1522, Trevi, Sanctuary of Madonna delle Lacrime
The fresco, where Perugino even left his signature, is located in the second chapel on the right, known as the “Chapel of the Nativity” or “Epiphany”. The work was commissioned by the rich local family of Valenti, whose coat of arms is also present in the arch above the scene.
The work depicts an enthroned Madonna, holding the newborn Child on her knees. The Three Wise Men are adoring Baby Jesus, together with the crowd of bystanders; the monumental composition is characterized by the rigorous spatial arrangement, thanks to the geometry of the hut, recalling a stylized, robust wooden temple.
The background is characterized by a delicate, green landscape, with shepherds and white sheep.
Foligno – Oratorio della Nunziatella
06034, Foligno (PG)
Perugino, Baptism of Christ, 1508-1513, fresco, 445 x 228 cm, Foligno, Oratorio della Nunziatella.
The fresco is part of the decoration commissioned by the rector of the Annunziata society, Giovanni Battista Merganti, for the chapel of San Giovanni Battista. The theme of Baptism was really popular among Perugino’s clients, thanks to the fresco depicting the same scene that he realized for the Sistine Chapel.
At the center of the scene, Saint John is about to pour the water of baptism on the head of Christ, who is praying. Four elegant angels attend the scene from the banks of the river, while two others, surrounded by cherubim, float in the air together with a white dove, representing the Holy Spirit.
In the lunetta, God blesses the scene with the Globe in his hand, while two angels kneel in front of Him, holding some lilies, symbol of purity.
