Karl Santner The Annunciation ca. 1615-18 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
Karl Santner Annunciation Diptych (Virgin) ca. 1620 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
Karl Santner Annunciation Diptych (Angel) ca. 1620 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
Karl Santner Annunciation Diptych (detail of Angel) ca. 1620 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
After Ferdinando Gonzaga's death in 1626, the duchy of Mantua suffered a long series of economic and political reverses, culminating in the dynasty's extinction in 1708. An inventory of the family's artworks undertaken by Ferdinando's younger brother and successor, Vincenzo, listed more than 20,000 items. The majority of these were subsequently dispersed across Europe in a series of forced sales and expropriations. The paintings shown here – mainly pious works by artists of modest reputation – survived those depredations, and are now on display in the Palazzo Ducale, though many were scattered in the city's churches and other religious foundations until the 20th century.
Antonio Gatti Mystic Marriage of St Catherine ca. 1614-15 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
Antonio Gatti Mystic Marriage of St Catherine (detail of attendant Saint) ca. 1614-15 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
Carlo Bononi Miracle of St Chiara ca. 1614-16 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
Carlo Bononi Miracle of St Chiara (detail) ca. 1614-16 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
Carlo Bononi Miracle of St Chiara (detail) ca. 1614-16 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
Domenico Fetti St Barbara 1613 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
Domenico Fetti St Louis of Toulouse 1613 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
Domenico Fetti St Catherine of Alexandria 1613 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
Domenico Fetti St Matthew ca. 1620 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
Domenico Fetti St Paul ca. 1620 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |
Lucrina Fetti Portrait of Caterina de' Medici Gonzaga as St Helen ca. 1620 oil on canvas Palazzo Ducale, Mantua |