Explore the Description about the Introduction of this artwork.
The painting presents itself as a Last Judgement scene with ten main characters, including Gesualdo and his second wife. The prince is supplicating Christ by the side of his maternal uncle, St. Charles Borromeo, who is clothed in cardinal red and positioned as his protector.Denis Morrier points out the canvas’ three-tiered composition:“At the summit, Christ Pantocrator, in majesty, judges the living and the dead. He is surrounded by several saints, among whom we recognize the Virgin Mary, ‘consoler of the afflicted,’ who intercedes with her son for the pardon of sinners, and Mary Magdalene, symbol of repentance,”
In the middle section, we see the composer supported by his uncle St. Charles Borromeo. Across from him is his wife, Eleonora d’Este, clothed “in the Spanish style,”
“In the lower section we see purgatory, where a man and a woman wait, lost in the flames.”Moreover, Glenn Watkins, who identifies the two upper levels of the canvas as “a typical sacra conversazione,” points out the guardian figures of the archangel Michael—sitting near Christ and somewhat effaced—and of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Dominic, the founders of the religious orders that occupied the two convents built by Gesualdo.
St. Dominic Mary Magdalene Francis of Assisi Christ Pantocrator Glenn Watkins Charles Borromeo Gesualdo St. Charles Borromeo Eleonora d’Este St. Francis of Assisi archangel Michael Last Judgement