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Artwork

The Virgin and Saint Elizabeth with the Infant Saint John (casket lid, back); The Four Evangelists with Saint Christopher, Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Liberius (casket, back)

Simone dei Crocifissi , 1360

The Virgin and Saint Elizabeth with the Infant Saint John (casket lid, back); The Four Evangelists with Saint Christopher, Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Liberius (casket, back), by Simone dei Crocifissi, unspecified, 1360
The Virgin and Saint Elizabeth with the Infant Saint John (casket lid, back); The Four Evangelists with Saint Christopher, Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Liberius (casket, back), by Simone dei Crocifissi, unspecified, 1360

The Virgin and Saint Elizabeth with the Infant Saint John (casket lid, back); The Four Evangelists with Saint Christopher, Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Liberius (casket, back) is an unspecified painting by the Italo Byzantine artist Simone dei Crocifissi. It dates from 1360 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This casket painting, attributed to Simone dei Crocifissi, dates to circa 1360 and exemplifies the Italo-Byzantine style. Comprising two panels, it decorates a casket's lid and back, showcasing religious themes.

Subject & Meaning

The lid panel depicts the Virgin, Saint Elizabeth, and the Infant Saint John, highlighting a pivotal moment of maternal devotion in Christian narrative. The back panel features the Four Evangelists accompanied by Saints Christopher, Anthony Abbot, and Liberius, symbolizing the harmony between scriptural authority and saintly virtue.

Technique & Style

Characterized by subdued coloration and solemn facial expressions, the work adheres to Italo-Byzantine conventions. Notable details include the use of staffs and halos to signify saintliness, underscoring the artist's adherence to traditional religious iconography.

History & Provenance

Created by Simone dei Crocifissi, an active Bolognese painter from 1330 to 1399, the casket's origins and subsequent ownership history are not detailed in available records.

Context

This piece reflects the religious and artistic tastes of 14th-century Italy, where Italo-Byzantine art maintained influence. Such caskets likely held personal, possibly devotional, items of the owner.

Legacy

While not individually renowned, the casket contributes to the broader understanding of Simone dei Crocifissi's oeuvre and the enduring presence of Italo-Byzantine styles in late medieval Italian art.

The Baptism of Christ (casket lid, front); Saint Peter, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Matthew and Two Unknown Saints (casket, front)
The Baptism of Christ (casket lid, front); Saint Peter, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Matthew and Two Unknown Saints (casket, front), Simone dei Crocifissi

Artist & collection

Artist

Simone dei Crocifissi

Simone di Filippo Benvenuti, known as Simone dei Crocifissi or Simone da Bologna (about 1330 - 1399), was an Italian painter.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted The Virgin and Saint Elizabeth with the Infant Saint John (casket lid, back); The Four Evangelists with Saint Christopher, Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Liberius (casket, back)?

The Virgin and Saint Elizabeth with the Infant Saint John (casket lid, back); The Four Evangelists with Saint Christopher, Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Liberius (casket, back) was painted by Simone dei Crocifissi in 1360.

Where can I see The Virgin and Saint Elizabeth with the Infant Saint John (casket lid, back); The Four Evangelists with Saint Christopher, Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Liberius (casket, back)?

The Virgin and Saint Elizabeth with the Infant Saint John (casket lid, back); The Four Evangelists with Saint Christopher, Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Liberius (casket, back) is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is The Virgin and Saint Elizabeth with the Infant Saint John (casket lid, back); The Four Evangelists with Saint Christopher, Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Liberius (casket, back)?

The Virgin and Saint Elizabeth with the Infant Saint John (casket lid, back); The Four Evangelists with Saint Christopher, Saint Anthony Abbot, Saint Liberius (casket, back) is associated with Italo Byzantine.