The Burial of Saint Zenobius

Davide Ghirlandaio (David Bigordi)

ca. 1479 · Tempera and gold on wood · European Paintings

Ghirlandaio painted these three captivating narrative scenes about 1479 for the base (predella) of an important altarpiece commissioned from his brother, Domenico, for the church of San Giusto alle Mura outside Florence. Two further scenes are known; the main panel is in the Uffizi in Florence. According to legend, at the burial of Saint Zenobius a dead tree sprang to life when it was touched by the saint's bier. The baptistery and bell tower (campanile) of the cathedral of Florence provide the setting. Florence appears in the background of the scene where Tobias catches a fish whose innards will heal his father’s blindness.

Artist

Davide Ghirlandaio (David Bigordi)

Date

ca. 1479

Medium

Tempera and gold on wood

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

Francis L. Leland Fund, 1913