Bentivoglio Altarpiece

The Bentivoglio Altarpiece, painted by Italian Renaissance artist Lorenzo Costa the Elder in August 1488, is a stunning masterpiece situated in the Bentivoglio Chapel within the San Giacomo Maggiore church in Bologna, Italy. This work was commissioned by Giovanni II Bentivoglio, the ruler of Bologna, as an expression of gratitude for his family's miraculous survival from an attempted massacre orchestrated by the Malvezzi family.

Costa's altarpiece is a highlight of the chapel, exhibited alongside his other significant works, the Triumph of Fame and the Triumph of Death. The piece exemplifies Renaissance artistry, showcasing a grand architectural setting with a marble altar adorned with intricate friezes. At the painting's center, the Madonna and Child sit majestically on a throne, flanked by Giovanni II Bentivoglio and his wife, Ginevra Sforza, depicted kneeling in reverence.

In the foreground, the couple's eleven children are prominently displayed. Their daughters—Camilla, Bianca, Francesca, Violante, Laura, Isotta, and Eleonora—are positioned on the left, while their sons—Ermes, Alessandro, Anton Galeazzo, and the eldest, Annibale—are on the right. This poignant portrayal of the Bentivoglio family captures both their piety and prominence, making it a significant and moving piece of Renaissance art.