Who painted Decemviri Altarpiece?

Decemviri Altarpiece was painted by Pietro Perugino in 1498.

Where can I see Decemviri Altarpiece?

Decemviri Altarpiece is held by Vatican Museums.

What movement is Decemviri Altarpiece?

Decemviri Altarpiece is associated with High Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Decemviri Altarpiece?

Museum-quality prints of Decemviri Altarpiece are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Decemviri Altarpiece

Pietro Perugino , 1498

Decemviri Altarpiece is an unspecified painting by the High Renaissance artist Pietro Perugino. It dates from 1498 and is held in the collection of the Vatican Museums.

About this work

Overview

The Decemviri Altarpiece, created by Pietro Perugino between 1495 and 1496, is a Renaissance panel painting now displayed in the Pinacoteca Vaticana, Vatican City. It was originally commissioned for the chapel of the Palazzo dei Priori in Perugia by the city’s governing body known as the Decemviri, or "Ten Men."

Subject & Meaning

The central panel presents a conventional religious composition typical of late‑15th‑century Italian altarpieces, intended for devotional use within the civic chapel. While the exact iconography of the main scene is not detailed here, the work’s function was to embody the piety and authority of its patrons.

Technique & Style

Executed in tempera on panel, the altarpiece reflects Perugino’s characteristic calm figures, balanced spatial arrangements, and soft, luminous color palette. The artist’s refined handling of drapery and serene facial expressions align with the harmonious aesthetic that defines his mature period.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the altarpiece stood beneath a now‑detached Pietà panel measuring 87 × 90 cm, which was originally positioned above the main image. That upper panel has since been relocated to the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria, while the lower portion entered the Vatican’s collection, where it remains on public view.