Oratorio visconteoOratorio visconteo

Albizzate (VA)Albizzate (VA)

• The Oratorio Visconteo was probably The Oratorio Visconteo was probably built during the second half of the 14 th built during the second half of the 14 th century by the Visconti family,the lords century by the Visconti family,the lords of Milan.of Milan.

• It was originally dedicated to Saints John It was originally dedicated to Saints John The Baptist and Ludovico from Tolosa.The Baptist and Ludovico from Tolosa.

• The lives of the two saints are dedicated The lives of the two saints are dedicated on both sides of the church walls.on both sides of the church walls.

• It is called ‘Saint Venanzio Oratorio’ It is called ‘Saint Venanzio Oratorio’ because Luigi Coletti,an art because Luigi Coletti,an art critic,recognised in these frescoes the critic,recognised in these frescoes the story of Saint Venanzio instead of the story of Saint Venanzio instead of the one about Saint Ludovico and hence its one about Saint Ludovico and hence its name.name.

• The oldest manuscript that speaks about The oldest manuscript that speaks about this Oratorio dates back to 1455 when this Oratorio dates back to 1455 when Gabriele Sforza,Archbishop of Gabriele Sforza,Archbishop of Milan,visited it.Milan,visited it.

ARCHITECTURAL ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICSCHARACTERISTICS

• The Oratorio has a very simple The Oratorio has a very simple structure consisting of a single nave structure consisting of a single nave linked by a triumphal arch to its linked by a triumphal arch to its semicircular abse.semicircular abse.

• This type of structure is very common This type of structure is very common starting from the second half of 14 th starting from the second half of 14 th century especially for the chapels century especially for the chapels belonging to the nobility.belonging to the nobility.

• The only entrance to the Oratorio is a The only entrance to the Oratorio is a simple archdoor made of wood which is simple archdoor made of wood which is not the original one because in the past not the original one because in the past it was used for different purposes.it was used for different purposes.

• We have manuscripts that testify its We have manuscripts that testify its use as a theatre or as a barn.use as a theatre or as a barn.

• Above the door we find a circular Above the door we find a circular window which still maintains some of window which still maintains some of its original characteristics.its original characteristics.

• In the abse we can see Christ depicted in In the abse we can see Christ depicted in an almond shaped painting surrounded by an almond shaped painting surrounded by four animals that represent the four four animals that represent the four evangelists. evangelists.

• In the low part of the abse there are the In the low part of the abse there are the twelve apostoles. twelve apostoles.

• The façade is very simple and the nave is The façade is very simple and the nave is divided by a banister in which we can find divided by a banister in which we can find some traces of its antique decorations. some traces of its antique decorations.

THE ABSIDALTHE ABSIDAL

• In the Absidal Conch the picture of the In the Absidal Conch the picture of the “Maiestas Dominus” is among some of the “Maiestas Dominus” is among some of the Evangelistic symbols and dates back to Evangelistic symbols and dates back to Prechristian standards. Prechristian standards.

• The pictures show figures with clumsy The pictures show figures with clumsy movements and grey faces. movements and grey faces.

• The Apostols Marco,Giovanni,Luca and Matteo The Apostols Marco,Giovanni,Luca and Matteo are associated with the following symbols:are associated with the following symbols:

Mark is represented by a lion which expresses the powerful and doggedness.

Luca is represented by a Beef which expresses the sacrifice.

Giovanni is represented by an eagle, which symbolises the truth.

Matteo is represented by an Angel expressing the human nature.

• The Apostoles instead are depicted The Apostoles instead are depicted with soft and bright colours. This with soft and bright colours. This indicates that the works have been indicates that the works have been done by different artist. done by different artist.

Left WallLeft Wall

• Saint John’s life in the frescos of the Saint John’s life in the frescos of the “Oratorio Visconteo” “Oratorio Visconteo”

• The story of Saint John The Baptist starts The story of Saint John The Baptist starts with the first panel above the triumphal with the first panel above the triumphal arch. arch.

• In this story we can notice some In this story we can notice some iconographic novelties like the scene of the iconographic novelties like the scene of the scattering of the bones with its gathering scattering of the bones with its gathering and incineration all related to the story of and incineration all related to the story of the “Leggenda Aureathe “Leggenda Aurea””

1.1. The appearance of the Archangel Gabriel The appearance of the Archangel Gabriel and Zaccaria. and Zaccaria.

2.2. Visitation.Visitation.

3.3. The birth of Saint John.The birth of Saint John.

4.4. Zaccaria becomes dumb and writes the Zaccaria becomes dumb and writes the name to be given to the new born. name to be given to the new born.

5.5. John’s presentation at the temple.John’s presentation at the temple.

6.6. John in the desert.John in the desert.

7. The Baptist preaching to the crowd.7. The Baptist preaching to the crowd.

8. The Baptisme of the masses.8. The Baptisme of the masses.

9. John baptises Jesus. 9. John baptises Jesus.

10. John reproaches Erodes and Herodias10. John reproaches Erodes and Herodias

11. John,in prison,receives the visit of 2 11. John,in prison,receives the visit of 2

ApostolesApostoles

12. Jesus is preaching to the crowd12. Jesus is preaching to the crowd

13.Beheading and presentation of John’s 13.Beheading and presentation of John’s head to Erodes head to Erodes

14. Salome offers the head to her mother14. Salome offers the head to her mother

15.John’s burial by his disciples15.John’s burial by his disciples

16.Herodias buries the head16.Herodias buries the head

17.The scattering of St.John’s bones17.The scattering of St.John’s bones

18. The incineration of St.John’s bones18. The incineration of St.John’s bones

19.The monks find St. John’s bones19.The monks find St. John’s bones

20.The monks deliver St. John’s bones to Philip, 20.The monks deliver St. John’s bones to Philip, Bishop of Jerusalem Bishop of Jerusalem

21. St. John appears miraculously to two monks 21. St. John appears miraculously to two monks and reveals the place where his head is hidden. and reveals the place where his head is hidden.

22. The monks head towards Erodes’ castle22. The monks head towards Erodes’ castle

23. The finding of John’s head23. The finding of John’s head

24. Delivery of John’s head to a Bishop24. Delivery of John’s head to a Bishop

Right Wall OF THE Right Wall OF THE ORATORIOORATORIO

• The “Oratorio Visconteo” of Albizzate is The “Oratorio Visconteo” of Albizzate is the only example of Lombardy art of the the only example of Lombardy art of the 4 th century. It presents the life of the 4 th century. It presents the life of the French Saint Ludovico. French Saint Ludovico.

1.1.The young Ludovico meets Franciscan The young Ludovico meets Franciscan monks.monks.

2.2.Ludovico is observing his brothers in Ludovico is observing his brothers in prayer.prayer.

3.3.The queen and the king entrust The queen and the king entrust Ludovico’s education to the monks. Ludovico’s education to the monks.

4. Ludovico tells the monks his vow of 4. Ludovico tells the monks his vow of chastitychastity

5. Ludovico asks to be accepted by the 5. Ludovico asks to be accepted by the order of the Franciscan monksorder of the Franciscan monks

6. The Pope agrees that Ludovico receives 6. The Pope agrees that Ludovico receives the Franciscan cloth without the obligation the Franciscan cloth without the obligation of becoming a noviceof becoming a novice

7. Ludovico begs7. Ludovico begs

8. Ludovico is appointed Bishop of Lione8. Ludovico is appointed Bishop of Lione

99. Pope Bonifacio VIII appoints Ludovico . Pope Bonifacio VIII appoints Ludovico Bishop of LioneBishop of Lione

10. Ludovico receives the discipline rules by 10. Ludovico receives the discipline rules by his his

brothersbrothers

11. Ludovico hoes the fields11. Ludovico hoes the fields

12. Ludovico accepts a leper in his own bed12. Ludovico accepts a leper in his own bed

13. Ludovico washes the beggars’ feet 13. Ludovico washes the beggars’ feet

14. Ludovico hands out the money 14. Ludovico hands out the money

15. Ludovico gives his clothes to a poor person15. Ludovico gives his clothes to a poor person

16. Ludovico receives a pilgrim16. Ludovico receives a pilgrim

17. Ludovico arrives in Brignoles and he feels death17. Ludovico arrives in Brignoles and he feels death

approaching. approaching.

18. Ludovico sitting on the bed tends his hands18. Ludovico sitting on the bed tends his hands

towards the crosstowards the cross

19. Ludovico receives the Eucharist for the last time19. Ludovico receives the Eucharist for the last time

20. Ludovico on his death bed20. Ludovico on his death bed

21. The transportion of Ludovico’s body to Marseille21. The transportion of Ludovico’s body to Marseille