The Art and Government Service of Francesco di Bartolomeo Alfei (c. 1421 - c. 1495) : : Visual Propaganda and Undercover Agency for the Republic of Siena / / Anabel Thomas.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Amsterdam University Press Complete eBook-Package 2023
• VerfasserIn: Thomas, Anabel,
• Place / Publishing House: Amsterdam : : Amsterdam University Press, , [2023]; ©2023
• Year of Publication: 2023
• Language: English
• Series: Visual and Material Culture, 1300 –1700 ; 45
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (276 p.)

In 1454 the Sienese painter Francesco di Bartolomeo Alfei faced litigation from the Mercanzia in Siena for defaulting on a contract from one of the leading Franciscan confraternities in the city. Two fellow Sienese artists, Giovanni di Paolo and Sano di Pietro, had recently completed a new altarpiece for the same entity. Anabel Thomas considers how the two commissions were linked and questions why Francesco di Bartolomeo Alfei’s brief to fresco the confraternity chapel remained unfinished. In a wide ranging analysis of mainly unpublished records, focussing on the artist’s association with key members of Sienese society, fellow artisans and government officials, Thomas concludes that Francesco di Bartolomeo Alfei might have honoured his contract had he not become immersed in the military strategy, diplomacy and visual propaganda of the Republic of Siena.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Francesco di Bartolomeo Alfei’s 1491 Tax Declaration (in Italian and English) -- Table of Contents -- List of Illustrations -- Preface -- Structure of the Book -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- Part One Art and Diplomacy -- 1. The Politics of Journeyman Painting -- 2. The Diplomat Leonardo Benvoglienti and His ‘Friend’ , the Painter Francesco di Bartolomeo Alfei -- Part Two Francesco di Bartolomeo Alfei: Conflicting Career Options -- 1. Workshop Training and Neighbourhood Networking -- 2. Military Action in Defence of Siena’s Southern Territories -- Part Three Giovanni di Paolo, Sano di Pietro and Francesco di Bartolomeo Alfei Undertake Work for the ‘Chompangnia e Fraternita di San Franciescho posta nel Chonvento di San Franciescho' -- 1. The Fraternity -- 2. A New Altarpiece -- 3. Fresco Work in the ‘Company Chapel’ -- Part Four Francesco di Bartolomeo Alfei, ‘Trusted Servant’ Inside and Outside the Walls of Siena -- Foreword -- 1. Arbitrator and Scribe for the Trecerchi -- 2. Martinozzi Patronage -- 3. Government-Sponsored Work Inside Siena and Official Postings in Montalcino , the Val di Chiana and Vergelle -- Part Five The Ponte d’Arbia Project: Preserving the ‘Honour’ of Siena -- Introduction -- Conclusion -- Bibliography -- Photograph credits and copyright notices -- General Index -- Author Index