Ultimo miracolo e morte di san Zanobi (c.1500)

Botticelli, Sandro (c.1445-1510)

Ultimo miracolo e morte di san Zanobi (Last Miracle and Death of Saint Zenobius)
c.1500
Tempera on poplar, 66 x 182 cm
Gemäldegalerie Alte MeisterDresden

The plaque was part of a cycle that tells of the miracles of the first bishop of Florence. Once upon a time, this frieze was embedded in wall panelling at shoulder height (so-called spalliera). It was probably commissioned by Francesco di Zanbobi de’Girolamo in Florence, possibly on the occasion of the wedding of one of his sons. Saint Zenobius was considered the ancestor of the family. The three remaining paintings are now in London (National Gallery) and New York (Metropolitan Museum of Art). Botticelli, one of the main exponents of the Renaissance in Florence, chose a principle that actually dates back to the Middle Ages: in order to tell the story, he depicted the successive scenes simultaneously. On the left, a boy is run over by a car and dies. He can be resurrected by the deacon of Zenobius thanks to his power of faith and handed over to his mother. On the right is the death scene of St. Zenobius, who died in 417. (SKD)

Compare:

Botticelli, Sandro (c.1445-1510)
Battesimo ed elezione di San Zanobi
c.1500
National GalleryLondon

 

 

Botticelli, Sandro (c.1445-1510)
Tre miracoli di San Zanobi
c.1500
Metropolitan Museum of ArtNew York

 

 

Botticelli, Sandro (c.1445-1510)
Tre miracoli di San Zanobi
c.1500
National GalleryLondon

 

 

See also:

• Zenobius of Florence, St. (337-417)