Who painted Polittico di Cornalba?

Polittico di Cornalba was painted by Cristoforo Caselli in 1500.

Where can I see Polittico di Cornalba?

Polittico di Cornalba is held by Accademia Carrara.

Artwork

Polittico di Cornalba

Polittico di Cornalba is an unspecified painting by Cristoforo Caselli. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Accademia Carrara.

About this work

Overview

The *Polittico di Cornalba* is a Renaissance polyptych painted circa 1500 by Cristoforo Caselli, an artist active in Parma who was also known as il Temperello. The work belongs to the collection of the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo and exemplifies the devotional panel painting typical of the period.

Subject & Meaning

The central panel presents two standing figures, each bearing a sword and a book, and both crowned with halos, indicating saintly status. Their robes are richly draped; the left figure wears a plain red cloak, while the right is clothed in a red mantle patterned with gold. The serene sky background, rendered in pale blue with fluffy clouds, reinforces a contemplative, heavenly atmosphere.

Technique & Style

Caselli employs a balanced composition and clear delineation of forms, characteristic of early 16th‑century Italian painting. The use of luminous colors, especially the reds and golds of the cloaks, and the delicate modeling of the figures’ faces reflect the influence of contemporary Renaissance aesthetics, while the halo motifs and symbolic objects align with traditional religious iconography.

History & Provenance

Created at the turn of the 16th century, the polyptych remained in the region of its origin before entering the Accademia Carrara’s holdings. Its attribution to Caselli is based on stylistic analysis and archival references linking the work to the artist’s activity in Parma during the late 1400s and early 1500s.

Context

The piece belongs to a broader trend of multi‑panel devotional artworks commissioned for private chapels or churches in northern Italy. Its iconography—swords, books, and halos—reflects the era’s emphasis on saintly intercession and the didactic role of visual art in guiding personal piety.