St. Francis Fresco Cycle by Benozzo Gozzoli in Montefalco, Umbria
Benozzo Gozzoli was a student of Fra’ Angelico, his most famous work is the frescoed room in the Medici-Riccardi Palace in Florence, showing members of the Medici family dressed up as the wise men in the Journey Of The Magi.
Benozzo Gozzoli: St Francis Expels The Demons From Arezzo.
Benozzo Gozzoli frescoed the apse of the Franciscan church (San Francesco) in Montefalco, Umbria with the Life of Saint Francis between 1450 and 1452.
St Francis Preaches To The Birds & Blesses Montefalco. Benozzo Gozzoli, Montefalco, Umbria
It’s interesting to compare the Life of St. Francis by Benozzo Gozzoli with the frescoes in the Basilica of St Francis in nearby Assisi. You can see how art had progressed in 160 years, it’s also interesting to note how the Life of St.Francis in Montefalco has more parallels with the life of Christ than Giotto’s frescoes in Assisi. The paintings show him being born in the presence of an ox and a donkey!
Benozzo Gozzoli: The Birth of St Francis (left), San Francesco, Montefalco, Umbria
Benozzo Gozzoli has been criticised for lacking the spirituality of his teacher Fra’ Angelico. I don’t see this as a drawback and love seeing his colourful paintings, crowded with people wearing the costume of the day. I suggest you judge for yourself and visit Montefalco.
Trial by Fire Before The Sultan. Benozzo Gozzoli, St Francis Frescoes, Montefalco, Umbria Italy
Montefalco is also famous for Sagrantino di Montefalco, a full bodied red wine made from the Sagrantino grape. You can combine a visit to Benozzo Gozzoli’s frescoes with a vineyard visit. Read about Italian Wine & Sagrantino di Montefalco
Tuscany Villas Umbria Villas
Montefalco and the frecoes by Benozzo Gozzoli are not far from Gorgacce Rentals’ Villas, Farmhouses & Apartments on the Tuscany Umbria Border. Tuscany Villas Umbria Villas: Gorgacce Rentals
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June 14, 2009 at 22:44 |
Just a technical note
In it’s essence, fresco or fresco painting is an – application of natural mineral pigments to a surface on which a following chemical reaction takes place:
Ca(OH)2(s) + CO2(g) —-> CaCO3(s) + H2O(l)
Calcium Hydrate (burned lime stone or marble mixed with water) combined with carbon dioxide resulting in the formation of Calcium Carbonate – lime stone, marble. The pigment gets trapped within the newly formed calcite crystal. It is like “Painting with molten Marble”.