Explore the History of this artwork, Delivery of the Franciscan Rule.
Colantonio operated in Naples from around 1440 to 1460, under king René of Anjou (1438–1442), an admirer of Flemish, Burgundian and Provençal art, and under Alfonso V of Aragon, who was connected to Aragon, where art was in turn inspired by Flemish models.
The diversity of these two influences is visible in the two panels executed by Colantonio for the Franciscan church of San Lorenzo Maggiore, which were painted in two different moments and were later completed by Antonello da Messina with smaller side panels of blessed Franciscans. The general theme of the altarpiece was the celebration of the Franciscan thought, of which St. Jerome, according to the theories of St. Bernardino of Siena, had been one of the main influences.
Franciscan St. Jerome Naples Alfonso V of Aragon San Lorenzo Maggiore Colantonio Antonello da Messina Bernardino of Siena Flemish René of Anjou Jerome St. Bernardino of Siena