Artwork

Copy after the painting Virgin and Child with Saints (Castelfranco Altarpiece) by Giorgione in S. Liberale, Castelfranco

Copy after the painting Virgin and Child with Saints (Castelfranco Altarpiece) by Giorgione in S. Liberale, Castelfranco is a watercolor work on paper by the Contemporary Realist artist Edward Kaiser. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This watercolour is a 19th-century copy of Giorgione's Castelfranco Altarpiece, created by Edward Kaiser in 1867 for the Arundel Society and published in 1879.

Subject & Meaning

The artwork depicts the Virgin Mary in a red robe holding the Infant Jesus, flanked by a knight in armor with a red and white striped flag and a praying monk in brown robes, set against a softly rendered landscape backdrop.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour, the copy retains key visual details of the original, including textured armor, patterned throne cloth with gold accents, and a tiled floor, while the overall style reflects a faithful, detailed reproduction approach.

History & Provenance

Commissioned by the Arundel Society in 1867, the watercolour copy was later published in 1879, serving as an example of 19th-century efforts to disseminate Renaissance art through reproductions.

Context

As a copy, it highlights the admiration for Giorgione's work during the 19th century and the role of societies like Arundel in making such art accessible through various media.

Legacy

While primarily a reproduction, Edward Kaiser's copy contributes to the broader legacy of Giorgione's Castelfranco Altarpiece by facilitating its study and appreciation beyond the original's location.