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Vigoroso da SienaItalian artist
Date of Birth: .
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Vigoroso da Siena: A Renowned Italian Artist
- Artistic Endeavors
- Panel Painting
- Notable Works
- Other Attributed Works
- - "Madonna and Child Enthroned" (San Mosciano, Church of Sant'Andrea)
Vigoroso da Siena: A Renowned Italian Artist
Biographical InformationThe renowned Italian artist Vigoroso da Siena's first documented appearance dates back to November 1276 as a resident of Siena. Despite the lack of information regarding his birthplace, his name appears in multiple Sienese archival documents. In 1280, he faced charges for indebtedness, and in 1291, he resided in the contrada of San Donato.
Artistic Endeavors
Miniature PaintingVigoroso da Siena was primarily known for his exceptional skills as a miniaturist. His intricate illuminations grace manuscripts preserved in Venice, Florence, Siena, and Geneva.
Panel Painting
In addition to his miniatures, Vigoroso also pursued panel painting. While following Siena's Byzantine aesthetic, prevalent at the end of the 13th century, his style was more conservative in this medium.
Notable Works
"Madonna and Child with Saints"This altarpiece, housed in the National Gallery of Umbria in Perugia, is Vigoroso's only signed and dated work. It demonstrates influences from Guido da Siena and early Cimabue, showcasing an archaic depiction of figures. The central panel depicts the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child, flanked by Mary Magdalene, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist, and Saint Julian. Above them, a benedictory Christ and four angels are portrayed.
Researchers originally dated the altarpiece to around 1282, attributing its style to the followers of Coppo di Marcovaldo. However, after its restoration in 1994, Luciano Bellosi proposed a date of 1291, with evident influences from Cimabue's art. This altarpiece was once displayed in the church of the Collegio della Mercanzia before being moved to its current location. Its inclusion of Saint Julian suggests that it may have previously adorned the altar of the Church of Santa Giuliana in Perugia.
Other Attributed Works
While less firmly attributed to Vigoroso da Siena, other works include:
- "Madonna and Child Enthroned" (San Mosciano, Church of Sant'Andrea)
- Triptych from the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, Madrid- Icon of "Virgin and Child" (location unknown)
Frescoes and Miniatures
Attempts to assign a fresco in the apse of the Church of San Bartolomeo in Pantano, Pistoia, to Vigoroso have since been reattributed to Manfredino di Pistoia.
Meanwhile, an exquisite miniature titled "The Twelve Apostles" from the Vittore Cini Collection in Venice established a connection with a series of miniatures executed in watercolors on parchment, currently housed in the Gabinetto Disegni e Stampe in Florence.
Italian researcher Ada Labriola has attributed to Vigoroso a "Last Judgment" miniature from a "Gradual" in a private Swiss collection and a "Genealogy of Christ" miniature from the library of the University of Geneva. Vigoroso's finest miniatures demonstrate the fanciful inventiveness characteristic of early French Gothic art, with which he was likely familiar.
