St Joseph's Foot Deformity in Italian Renaissance Art

Author(s)
Albury, William R
Weisz, George M
Publication Date
2011
Abstract
The depiction of St Joseph with a foot deformity is rare in Italian Renaissance art. During the period 1475-1525, however, it appears in paintings by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, Raphael Sanzio, and Giulio Romano. Given the intensification of the cult of St Joseph in Italy during this half century, and the similar representation of his deformity in all three paintings, it is likely that this iconographic feature had some meaning for Renaissance viewers. The key to this meaning is found in the emphasis which St Joseph's cult placed on the hardships of his many travels, particularly the long journey from Nazareth to Egypt and back.
Citation
Parergon, 28(1), p. 91-111
ISSN
1832-8334
0313-6221
Link
Language
en
Publisher
Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies
Title
St Joseph's Foot Deformity in Italian Renaissance Art
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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