Tintoretto’s “The Madonna of the Treasurers” at the Accademia Galleries in Venice

Tintoretto (1518 – 31 May 1594) – “The Madonna of the Treasurers with the Virgin and Child and Saints Sebastian, St. Mark, Theodore, three chamberlains and their secretaries”

Painting – Oil on canvas (221 x 520 cm) 1566

Tintoretto, The Madonna of the Treasurers with the Virgin and Child and Saints Sebastian, Mark and Theodore, three chamberlains and their secretaries, at the Accademia Galleries in Venice, Italy

Madonna of the Treasurer This painting by Tintoretto was commissioned to decorate the Palazzo dei Camerlenghi next to the Rialto Bridge in Venice.

It was transferred in 1817 to the church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, in the Castello district, before finding its permanent home at the Accademia Gallery in 1883.

A painting commissioned from Tintoretto to mark their appointment as treasurers of the Camerlenghi by Michel Pisani, Lorenzo Dolfin and Marino Malipiero.

Madonna of the Treasurer Their three coats of arms are painted in the lower left-hand corner of the painting.

Their presence is the reason for the name subsequently given to the painting: “La Madonna dei Tesorieri”, the “Madonna of the Treasurers”.

The Virgin Mary is depicted on the left, holding a rather large Infant Jesus in her arms before the three magistrates mentioned above, who have come to pay homage to her.

This painting by Tintoretto is clearly a reworking of the Adoration of the Magi, here depicted as the three treasurers of the Camerlenghi bowing before the Virgin.

Madonna of the Treasurer Behind them are three secretaries carrying money; gold coins are scattered on the ground in front of a small, open purse at the feet of the first one.

The analogy is clear : they follow the “ Magi” and are carrying the “gifts”.

The man depicted behind Mary is probably an official from the Palace of the Camerlenghi.

The Virgin Mary is flanked by Saint Sebastian on her left, bound to a column with his torso pierced by a long arrow, and St. Mark, bearded, standing to her right.

Saint Theodore, clad in his armour, is seated on the steps.

Madonna of the Treasurer