Tomb of Mary of Aragon

Abstract

This tomb is located in the church of Sant’Anna del Lombardi in Naples, formerly known as Santa Maria di Monteolivieto in Naples. The sepulchre is found on the left-hand side of the Piccolomini chapel. Created in the 1470s, the tomb was produced by Florentine sculptors Antonio Rossellino and Benedetto da Maiano. Antonio began working on the tomb, but after he died in 1479, it was continued by Benedetto in 1481. Between the 14th and 15th centuries, Neapolitan royalty often invited artists from across the Italian peninsula to come create artworks in the city. Artists were also commissioned to create artworks in their workshops and send them to Naples. The tomb was created using a Florentine prototype, bearing a striking resemblance to the tomb of the Cardinal of Portugal in San Miniato al Monte in Florence. Interred is King Ferdinand I’s daughter, Mary of Aragon, wife of Antonio Piccolomini of Aragon, the Duke of Amalfi. The tomb is placed under a sculpted arch with curtains drawn back. Above the tomb is a roundel created by Benedetto da Maiano depicting the Virgin and Child flanked by angels. Below is a mantelpiece with angels perched on the edge, flanking a relief of Christ’s Triumphant Resurrection. A gisant of Mary of Aragon is located on top of the tomb and is flanked by two putti. Upon closer inspection, Mary’s garment is adorned with a sculpted floral motif. Likewise, the cloth that drapes below her is carved in relief to create a brocade. Some traces of polychromy are found, particularly on the roundel of the Virgin and Child, and on some of the decorative elements within the arch. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.