NARRARE LE STORIE DELLA VERGINE CON IMMAGINI E PAROLE. LA DECORAZIONE ABSIDALE DI S. MARIA IN TRASTEVERE AGGIORNATA DA PIETRO CAVALLINI

Abstract

The S. Maria in Trastevere apse decoration, 12th century (arch and conch) - end of the 13th century (drum)
together analysed using the method of Epiconography, reveals the updating of the artistic program committed
by Bertoldo and Iacopo Stefaneschi. The Mary stories, by Cavallini, are characterized by a series of
reference to the mosaics of the conch. Inscriptions, images and colors are all connected, transforming the
“political” marriage between the Virgin and Christ, suggested by the schism of 1130, into the celebration of
Mary queen/ecclesia who, after her assumption into heaven, sits on the throne next to Christ. The face of the
Madonna of Mercy icon, copied in the Virgin face in the apse, and in the stories of Mary in the drum, also
visually unify the decoration and its message.