The Co-cathedral of SS. Marziale and Alberto in Colle Val d'Elsa
Episodes from Infancy of Jesus
The paintings highlight the principal feasts of the liturgical year. The birth of Jesus is illustrated in a canvas in the fourth chapel on the right of the entrance, painted in 1635 by the Sienese artist Rutilio Manetti, who was influenced by Caravaggio. The light, concentrated on the figure of Baby Jesus, emphasizes this event: Christ was born to bring peace to mankind, as announced by the words held by the angels. On the left, Saint Jerome appears in his red robes in reference to the name of the donor, Monsignor Girolamo Cervoni. The next feast day after the Nativity is Epiphany, “manifestation”. The Lord makes himself known to the people of all the earth, represented by the Magi who, after traveling from far away led by a star, the sign of the coming of the Messiah, visit Jesus and offer him rich gifts. This episode, in the center of the second chapel on the right, was painted in 1673 by the baroque artist Vincenzo Dandini, on a commission from the Colle nobleman Leonardo Albertani. The Christ Child opens his arms to the three kings: Melchior, the eldest, offers incense, symbol of Jesus’ divine nature; Gaspar holds out a box of gold, symbol of the temporal power of Christ, king of the Jews; finally Balthazar, dark-skinned and wearing a turban, brings myrrh, the ointment used for embalming, the symbol of his mortal nature. The paintings on the sides, by the Sienese . . .