Talk:Saint John Chrysostom Altarpiece
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Theological aspects
[edit]If you visit the Church of S Giovanni Crisostomo in person, you will notice something about this altarpiece which is not obvious in reproduction.
The red and cream tiled flooring on which the dais is set, is the same flooring on which you are standing. The very same. The same tiles are under your feet.
A fanciful gimmick on the part of the artist, or something more?
Altarpieces in Renaissance Italy were far more than decorative backdrops to altars. They brought the worshippers into the presence of the Communion of Saints. Church doctrine and devotional practice held that at every celebration of the Mass the whole Church was present and participating. Every Believer who had paseed into Glory, as well as those yet to be born, was there with the Communicants. This included, of course, those who were heroes and saints of the Faith.
Sebastianao's altarpiece provides physical evidence of this. The Patron Saint of this particular church, along with other saints significant to the congregation, is sharing the same floor space as the worshippers. This draws the worshipper in. They are not simply invited to be part of the sacre conversazione; they are positievly included.
I wonder if these kind of insights would be appropriate and valuable additions to this entry, and to the general reception of the full significance of this work. Kevins0753 (talk) 20:29, 9 November 2025 (UTC)