Polyptych of Saints
Carlo Crivelli·1473
Historical Context
This polyptych for Ascoli Piceno Cathedral, completed in 1473, is one of the most important altarpieces from Crivelli's early period in the Marche. Ascoli was his primary base after he was convicted of adultery in Venice in 1457 and subsequently left the city, finding eager patrons among the churches and confraternities of this provincial region. Characteristic of Crivelli's approach, the work displays ornate gilded decoration, crystalline detail, anatomical expressiveness, elaborately carved-looking forms.
Technical Analysis
The multi-panel structure follows traditional polyptych format with gilded framework, each saint rendered with Crivelli's distinctive combination of Byzantine-influenced gold grounds, Squarcionesque linearity, and intense chromatic richness.
