This thesis provides a cultural and historical context for Simone Martinis painting, St. Louis of Toulouse Crowning Robert of Naples, a landmark of Early Renaissance Sienese art. It offers a detailed analysis of the paintings style, themes, and unusual iconography based on an examination of the political and religious climate of early fourteenth-century Angevin Naples. In particular, it investigates the motives of Robert of Naples, the probable patron, in commissioning the work. While ostensibly intended to commemorate his brother Louis of Toulouse on the occasion of his sanctification in 1317, the painting nevertheless served Roberts own political agenda: the validation of his much disputed claim to the Neapolitan throne. This goal was accomplished through a complex iconological program which emphasized the Kings exalted lineage, in particular his dynastic connections to Hungarian and French royal saints. The painting exploited the belief in beata stirps, inherited sanctity, to imply that Robert was not only the legitimate ruler but that, having inherited his ancestors virtues, also an enlightened one. The thesis also analyzes the way in which Louis of Toulouse is represented, both in the main panel and in the five predella scenes. The altarpiece presents Louis primarily in his role as Bishop of Toulouse, diminishing the importance of his true Franciscan vocation. The insistence on Louis humility and obedience to papal authority, rather than his poverty, reflects the bitter debate raging between Spiritual and Conventual Franciscans at the time the painting was created. Cognizant of the necessity to preserve good relations with the Pope, a committed Conventual, Robert downplayed his brothers Spiritual sympathies. Thus, the painting is more a portrait, both literally and figuratively, of Robert of Naples than of Louis of Toulouse. Robert has cleverly adjusted his brothers image in accordance with his own political exigencies. The painting therefore becomes both a monument to Angevin power and prestige, and an affirmation of his right to rule.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LSU/oai:etd.lsu.edu:etd-05272009-161827 |
| Date | 01 June 2009 |
| Creators | Scotti, Suzette Denise |
| Contributors | Zucker, Mark J., Camerlenghi, Nicola, Spieth, Darius A. |
| Publisher | LSU |
| Source Sets | Louisiana State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-05272009-161827/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached herein a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to LSU or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below and in appropriate University policies, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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