In the context of this artwork, explore the Central and side panels of the Style, subject and description of the San Zeno Altarpiece.
The central section of the painting displays the Madonna and Child sitting on a marble throne, surrounded by eight saints. These eight saints are placed on the side panels that flank the central figures of the Madonna and child; this was done according to the patron's preferences: on the left are Saint Peter (in a yellow cloak holding a set of keys); Saint Paul (wearing a light purple cloak); Saint John the Evangelist (in a green cloak shown looking into a book he holds); and Saint Zeno (shown as bishop and wearing a mitre); on the right are Saint Benedict (wearing a dark blue cloak and holding a book); Saint Lawrence (wearing a dark green dalmatic); Saint Gregory (shown as a bishop wearing a mitre, a red cloak, white gloves, holding a book and crozier); and Saint John the Baptist (wearing red, reading a book, and shown in contrapposto). The subjects are shown gathered in a classical temple, adorned with pagan and mythological subjects. This painting illustrates a sacra conversazione (sacred conversation), also translated as "Holy Community". This subject originated in an Italian painting during the Trecento and refers to an assembly of saints from different periods of history, while surrounding the Madonna and child.Mantegna's depiction of the figures, specifically that of St. John the Baptist, illustrates his use of contrapposto, as seen in the figure of Saint John the Baptist, thereby highlighting the harmony of classical and Christian iconography.  The entire composition, which recalls an outdoor loggia, is full of detail referring to classical antiquity: the carved Corinthian engaged columns of the gilded frame (see below: frame) help create the allusion to a classical, pagan temple with a foreground decorated with classical garlands of foliage and fruit tied together with red ribbons.  In the background of the temple is a continuous decorative frieze that include playful putti holding cornucopia overspilling with fruit. Above this frieze is a classic egg-and-dart motif that serves as a border. On the square pilasters surrounding the loggia, there are tondi (circular roundels) that illustrate mythological scenes. Likewise, the carved marble throne is reminiscent of an ancient Roman sarcophagus. Surrounding the enthroned Madonna and Child are a group of "Donatellesque" (in the style of Donatello) angels that play musical instruments, specifically the lute, or sing from song books that they hold.
lute Trecento sacra conversazione engaged columns Donatello Saint Peter loggia Corinthian frieze Saint Benedict putti contrapposto John the Baptist gilded sarcophagus pilasters Saint Zeno Madonna and Child John the Evangelist egg-and-dart song books Saint John the Evangelist cornucopia Saint Gregory iconography Saint Paul Donatellesque tondi Saint John the Baptist Saint Lawrence dalmatic mitre