Fresco, Saint Martin, Quattrocento - Northern Italy mid 15th century

Large fresco in Strappo, northern Italy, mid-15th century.
Saint-Martin de Tours a beggar and his squire.

Our fresco represents an episode in the life of Saint Martin where he shares his military coat (chlamys with a destitute person frozen in cold. The scene takes place in the north of France in the winter of 334. In the night in a dream he sees the Christ dressed in this mantle.
The fragment named cape, venerated will give the word chapel (capella)

The scene of our fresco takes place somewhere in Italy, hills and fortified castles typical of the idealized landscapes of that time. From the military equipment and harnesses of the horse we are still in the international Gothic. Martin is haloed and the horse seems to take part in the scene and looks at us, humanism arrives...
The fresco is transposed on canvas. The technique of the strappo which consists in tearing the work with its last fresh coating of a few millimeters is very to the point. Works from the 18th century already describe the modus operandi, the Venetians were already experts in the matter.
In perfect state of conservation, the painting with its accidents corresponding to its initial state on the wall of La Chapelle which it adorned.
Former French collection. (Loire Valley)
163X123cm.