Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami

Christ Blessing

Artist/Maker Benedetto Diana Italy, ca. 1460-1525

Dateca. 1500

CultureItalian

Mediumoil on wood

DimensionsOverall: 27 3/4 x 18 3/4 in. (70.5 x 47.6 cm)
Framed: 39 1/8 x 30 x 3 in. (99.4 x 76.2 x 7.6 cm)

ClassificationsVisual Works

Credit LineGift of The Samuel H. Kress Foundation

Terms

Object number61.044.000

On View

Not on view

Collections

Art of Europe

DescriptionThe size, format, and subject matter of this painting suggest that it was a private devotional image. The figure was derived ultimately from Giovanni Bellini's ca. 1487 figure of Christ in the Transfiguration (Naples, Capodimonte). It is one among twenty-three versions cited by Fritz Heinemann (1962). In light of the fact that all other contemporary copies include a landscape or architectural setting, it is probable that this painting originally had some sort of background which has now been painted over. The authorship of this painting has been controverted. Fern R. Shapley ascribed it to an artist of the Venetian School, ca.1500. Heinemann initially associated the work with Girolamo Mocetto, but subsequently agreed with the attribution to Benedetto Diana proposed by Antonio Paolucci and seconded by Burton B. Fredericksen and Federico Zeri.