Design for Pulpit

Sienese School



Design for Pulpit

Sienese School

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a fragment of a design for a pulpit from the Sienese School. This part of the design shows a decorated arch, flanked by saints and with angels in discs just above the curve of the arch on either side. Above this are scenes from the Life of Christ (following on from those in 1932.69/23a, 1932.69/23b and 1932.69/24). The scenes here show Christ's descent into Hell, and in this image he is seen standing on a beast which we presume to be the devil, and the Descent from the Cross, which shows a crowd gathered round and supporting the horizontal figure of Christ with a ladder in the background. The accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society includes a short essay on the history of the designs for this pulpit, which were never carried out. This essay belongs to No.s 23-25 in the catalogue (accession numbers 1932.69/23a, 1932.69/23b, 1932.69/24 and 1932.69/25 in the Manchester City Art Gallery catalogue). Heading in the Vasari Society booklet: "Nos. 23-25 SIENESE SCHOOL, XIVTH CENTURY DESIGN FOR A PULPIT FOR ORVIETO CATHEDRAL NEVER CARRIED OUT Three fragments, at Orveito, London and Berlin. Pen and bistre on vellum. Original dimensions about 60 x 150 cm. (24 x 58 in.)" Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society for this individual design: "Third Fragment (No. 25) Berlin Museum, 25 x 24.7 cm. (9 7/8 x 9 3/4 in.) The left edge fits the right edge of the second fragment exactly, and completes the group of witnesses of the Crucifixion at the end of the sixth side. The first scene on the seventh side is Christ's Descent into Hell, which takes place as soon as he gives up the ghost upon the Cross, where his body, of course, remains for a time. The last subject of all is the Descent from the Cross. This fragment is better preserved than the second, and retains the arch and the capitals of the columns by which it is supported. A statue of Moses stands at the spring of the arch on the extreme right. Both the corbels on that side suggest the prolongation of the cornice on the adjoining (first) side of the pulpit. And so the cycle comes to an end. From the fragment of decoration still preserved above the scroll of the prophet on the left, it may be inferred that the sixth side of the pulpit, beneath the long scene of the Crucifixion in the London fragment, was a solid wall, corresponding to the first side shown on the Orvieto sheet. If there had been an arch beneath the Crucifixion, the spandrel would have contained the usual medallion with an angel. It seems unlikely that any other subject was carved on the wall beneath the Crucifixion. The sixth side may have been intended to stand near one of the columns on the north side of the nave, where sculpture would hardly have been seen. The Berlin fragment was acquired in 1887 from a private collection at Munich. Its earlier history is unknown. C. DODGSON."


Object Name

Design for Pulpit

Creators Name

Sienese School

Date Created

1905-1906

Dimensions

support: 45.6cm x 38.1cm

accession number

1932.69/25

Medium


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