From Crivelli to Lotto to De Magistris

The Madonna del Rosario di Cingoli is attributable to Lotto's second stay in the Marche region. The work was commissioned by the local Confraternity of the Rosary which was based in the church of San Domenico. The painting is signed L. LOTVS and dated 1539 in Roman numerals and is kept in the church of San Domenico. The 389x265 cm painting is considered one of Lotto's “masterpieces”. The composition that should be read from top to bottom, from left to right, are: the five joyful Mysteries (Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, presentation in the temple, Christ child teaching the doctors), the five sorrowful Mysteries (Christ in the garden of olives, Flagellation, Crowning with thorns, Ascent to Calvary, Crucifixion) and the five glorious Mysteries (Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, Assumption of the Virgin, Coronation of the Virgin).

Based on some studies carried out in 1834, the Falerone community commissioned the panel to Vittore Crivelli in order to furnish an altar of St. Lucky's church. The work was composed according to a sophisticated system of volume balance and seems to be divided by the Virgin Mary elegant figure. To accentuate the Christ martyrdom image there is an apple and a cucumber hanging from the panel top along with the jar with five red pink carnations. A special attention should be deserved to the Virgin's mantle.

It is one of the most sumptuous polyptychs, thanks also to the rich Gothic frame, soaring with slender pinnacles and thin tracery.

The painting depicts the Virgin adoring Baby Jesus at her feet. The work is characterized by a rich adornment, especially in the mantle of the Madonna. The work was deemed as modest by Cavalcaselle and Testi, but revaluated by Luigi Serra that judged it as “one of the most luxurious and delicate works of Vittore Crivelli”.