The artwork, titled “Altarpiece of San Zeno in Verona, right panel of St. Benedict, St. Lawrence, St. Gregory, and St. John the Baptist,” was created by Andrea Mantegna in 1459. This piece is a fine representation of the Early Renaissance art movement and falls within the genre of religious painting.
The artwork showcases four saints who are integral to Christian iconography. On the left, St. Benedict is depicted holding a manuscript in his hands, his serene demeanor reflective of his monastic life. Next to him is St. Lawrence, who is identifiable by his deacon’s garb and the gridiron—a symbol of his martyrdom—resting against his left arm. St. Gregory the Great stands in the center, resplendent in a papal vestment, holding a crosier and wearing the papal tiara, indicating his significance as a Pope and Doctor of the Church. Lastly, St. John the Baptist, in his typical camel hair clothing, is shown engrossed in reading a scroll, signifying his role as the precursor to Christ. The architectural and naturalistic details behind them, such as the garland above and the cloudy sky, reveal Mantegna’s mastery in creating a harmonious and reverent space that elevates the scene’s spirituality.
