The significance of the Scuole for changes in Venetian fifteenth-century painting

Abstract

Aim of the research. The purpose of this research is to analyze the role of the Scuole in the changes in Venetian fifteenth-century painting and to reflect on the significance of social and religious impact on artistic shape of Venice.

Methodology. I have analyzed three pictorial cycles painted on commision of  some of the Venetian Scuole (The Stories from the Life of Saint Ursula by Vittore Carpaccio, True Cross cycle by Carpaccio and Gentile Bellini and Cycle from Scuola San Giorgio degli Schiavoni also by Carpaccio), within the context of the abovementioned social changes, as well as the general concept of the Scuole.

Results. An analysis has helped to reveal and define clearly the specific role of the Scuole in the city’s artistic and social development. These organisations provided the society the unique possibility of  becoming a collective patron of the arts and of developing artistic topics of the period in question.

Conclusions. From the analysis one can observe the influence that Scuole had in Venice, among other things on the enriching of the subject matter of the pictorial cycles by the most prominent painters. Thanks to the Scuole’ commisions on the visual portrayals of ceremonies and processions, many secular topics were introduced into religion-dominated Italian painting.