Face of a saint. Detail of fragmentary School of Giotto fresco, painted in the 1300s. In medieval Chiesa di San Nicolò al Porto at Lazise, by Lake Garda, Veneto, Italy.
Lazise, Lake Garda, Veneto, Italy: this badly damaged depiction of a saint is among 14th century School of Giotto frescoes discovered when the disused Chiesa di San Nicolò al Porto was renovated in the 1950s, prior to its reopening. The works revealed on the church’s interior walls are by unknown local artists influenced by the style of the Florentine early Renaissance master, Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337), and by his presence at the Veronese court. The early-12th century Romanesque church stands beside the town’s harbour and is dedicated to St Nicholas of Bari, patron saint of sailors. Over the centuries, the austere coursed limestone and rubble structure survived a 12th century earthquake, a 16th century fire and many decades of neglect. The dilapidation caused its closure to worshippers in 1879 and it was then used as a barracks, a theatre, a cinema and a storehouse before it was restored in 1953 and reopened for worship. Before the frescoes were discovered in 1953, a 13th century Byzantine-style Madonna with piercing eyes gazing at the harbour had been brought to light in an external tabernacle on the church’s north side.
Size: 3008px × 2000px
Location: Lazise, Lake Garda, Veneto, Italy
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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