Altarpiece of the Theological and Cardinal Virtues

One of the largest and most accomplished altarpieces ever produced for Verona, this was the last work painted by Morando, who died the same year. It comes from the chapel of the Franciscan tertiaries in the church of San Bernardino, where it was complemented by a fresco cycle by Nicola Giolfino narrating episodes from the life of saint Francis. The altarpiece presents a complex iconographic program: the Virgin and Child with saints Francis and Anthony of Padua in glory surrounded by the three theological and four cardinal virtues. Below are two groups of Franciscan saints: Elizabeth of Hungary, Bonaventure and king Louis of France on the left,Yves, Louis of Toulouse and Eleazaro on the right. The center opens to reveal a landscape view of great spatial depth. Appearing at the bottom of the composition in kneeling profile is the female donor, Bartolomea Baialotti Da Sacco. The use of the tempera medium lends intense and luminous chromatic effect.