Sculpture
Madonna dell’Idria
Giuda Tedeschi
1490
polychrome carved wood
already in the central apse of the Cathedral
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The sculpute depicts the Virgin with the Baby and, according to the documents, it seems to have been choosen, from Giacomo da Mallano, as decoration for the niche of the main apse of the Cathedral, and it was commissioned, in 1490, to Giuda Tedeschi, artist of nordic origins, whose other works are unknown. According to Filangieri, once, on the top, the work presented two angels bearing the crown, on the bottom, the other two bearing candelabra.
Traditionally known as Madonna dell’Idria, as evident derivation from Madonna Odighitria, it differs from this one for the blessing hand of the Virgin that in the Byzantine model is in direction of the Baby to indicate the Way of Liberation. The sculpture passes the late-gothic Mannerism and introduces modern characters of Classicism.
