High on a great marble pedestal, between the stately pillars of a
temple, sits the mother Mary with her child Jesus, receiving
worshippers. Beyond the pillars is seen the blue sky veiled with fleecy
clouds. A tiny cloud has floated within the enclosure, bearing two
winged cherubs, who hold a cross between them, hovering over the group
below.
The company of worshippers kneel on the tessellated pavement: we see
from their dress that they are wealthy Venetians of the sixteenth
century. It is the family group of a certain Jacopo Pesaro, who was at
that time bishop of Paphos. He is known by the familiar nickname of
"Baffo," and played an important part in Venetian history.
When the Venetians went forth in the New Crusade to attack the Turks,
Pesaro or "Baffo" was the commander of the galleys sent by the Borgia
pope Alexander VI. The expedition being successful, the bishop wished to
show his gratitude for the divine favor. Accordingly, in the course of
time, he ordered this picture as a thank-offering commemorative of his
victory. He comes with his kinsman Benedetto and other members of his
family to consecrate the standards taken from the enemy.
The bishop himself has the most prominent place among the worshippers at
the foot of the throne steps, while Benedetto, with a group behind him,
kneels opposite. The victorious commander is accompanied by St. George,
who carries the banner inscribed with the papal arms and the Pesaro
escutcheon. He leads forward two Turkish captives to whom he turns to
speak. St. George was a warrior saint, and being besides the patron of
Venice his appearance in this capacity is very appropriate here.
There are other saints to lend their august presence to the ceremony. As
the picture was to be given to a church dedicated to the Franciscan
friars or "Frari," two of the most celebrated members of this order are
represented. They are St. Francis, the founder, and St. Anthony, of
Padua, the great preacher, and they stand in the habits of their order
beside the throne. Midway on the steps St. Peter is seated reading a
book from which he turns to look down upon Jacopo. The key, which is the
symbol of his authority in the church, stands on the step below. The
saints, we see, form a connecting link between the exalted height of the
Madonna and Child and the worshippers. St. Peter introduces the bishop,
and St. Francis seems to ask favor for the group with Benedetto.
The scene is full of pomp and grandeur. The superb architecture of the
temple, the rich draperies of the sacred group, the splendid dresses of
the worshippers, the red and gold banner, all contribute to the
impression of magnificence which the picture conveys. The colossal scale
of the composition gives us an exhilarating sense of spaciousness. The
color harmony is described as glorious.
[Illustration: D. Anderson, photo. John Andrew & Son. Sc.