I have found a beautiful fresco. I was visiting a house in the falling snow, my brave companions were damp, but enthusiastic and so we knocked on the neighbouring door to the church. An elderly signora in an apron appeared. She produced la chiave (the key) from which dangled a ribbon. She unlocked the church door and we entered a tiny interior and there above the alter was the painting I had heard about, La Madonna della Misericordia (Virgin of Mercy). It is, I believe a 15th century fresco by Lorenzo Salimbeni, dated 1404. I have sent word out to confirm. But what a find. As ever Le Marche reveals her treasures most quietly. La signora told us her two sisters were married here and an image of long ago summer weddings drifted past as the snow lay melting outside. How comforting to know that La Signora with the key and this finely depicted Madonna, cloak held out by angels so that folk can shelter beneath, watch over this quiet hamlet together.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
La Madonna della Misericordia and La Signora with the key
I have found a beautiful fresco. I was visiting a house in the falling snow, my brave companions were damp, but enthusiastic and so we knocked on the neighbouring door to the church. An elderly signora in an apron appeared. She produced la chiave (the key) from which dangled a ribbon. She unlocked the church door and we entered a tiny interior and there above the alter was the painting I had heard about, La Madonna della Misericordia (Virgin of Mercy). It is, I believe a 15th century fresco by Lorenzo Salimbeni, dated 1404. I have sent word out to confirm. But what a find. As ever Le Marche reveals her treasures most quietly. La signora told us her two sisters were married here and an image of long ago summer weddings drifted past as the snow lay melting outside. How comforting to know that La Signora with the key and this finely depicted Madonna, cloak held out by angels so that folk can shelter beneath, watch over this quiet hamlet together.
