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Tomb of Giovanni Crivelli

The Tomb of Giovanni Crivelli is a marble funerary monument by Donatello, made during his Roman period around 1432–1433. Measuring 213.5 x 88 cm, it is housed in the Roman church of Santa Maria Aracoeli, in a rather unprivileged position to the right of the main entrance. The deceased is shown lying in a niche topped by a shell-shaped crown, with the head resting on a pillow, hands crossed, and the body laid on a rather plain drapery. Above, two flying angels hold a clipeus with the family coat of arms, now almost illegible. The work bears the inscription Opus Donatelli Florentini on the upper left edge.

Tomb of Giovanni Crivelli stone relief with a carved effigy beneath a scalloped arch and winged figures above.
The Tomb of Giovanni Crivelli shows a carved stone effigy set within a tall relief panel decorated with winged figures and inscriptions.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Tomb of Giovanni Crivelli with a low-relief robed figure beneath a scalloped arch, flanked by winged figures and a Latin inscription.
The Tomb of Giovanni Crivelli shows a carved robed figure under a scalloped arch, with winged figures and inscriptions framing the stone slab.
December 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tomb of Giovanni Crivelli with a carved robed figure beneath a scalloped arch and winged figures above.
The Tomb of Giovanni Crivelli shows a carved recumbent figure beneath a scalloped arch, flanked by winged figures at the top.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Tomb of Giovanni Crivelli marble relief with a robed bust, winged figures, and Latin inscription
Tomb of Giovanni Crivelli, showing a carved marble relief with a robed bust beneath a scalloped arch, flanked by winged figures and Latin text.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Lower section of the Tomb of Giovanni Crivelli showing a carved robed figure and weathered Latin inscriptions on the stone frame.
Close-up of the Tomb of Giovanni Crivelli, with the lower relief and surrounding Latin inscription visible.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleTomb of Giovanni Crivelli
Alternative titleFunerary slab of Giovanni Crivelli
TypeFunerary slab

Historical context

Date1432–1433
Creation contextMade during Donatello's Roman stay
Roman stay1431–1433, about three years

Creator

ArtistDonatello
SignatureOpus Donatelli Florentini
AttributionAttribution to Donatello is disputed by critics, due to the weak composition and scant documentation

Discovery and provenance

CommissionerGiovanni Crivelli, archdeacon of Aquileia
Commission dateBefore Giovanni Crivelli's death in 1432
Person commemoratedGiovanni Crivelli, archdeacon of Aquileia
Intended placementOn the floor of a sacred building, as a common earth tomb type of the period

Physical characteristics

Dimensions213.50 × 88 cm

Materials

MaterialMarble

Appearance

Depicted figureGiovanni Crivelli, shown reclining in a niche with a shell-shaped canopy, head resting on a cushion, hands crossed, and the body covered by monotonous drapery
Upper decorationTwo flying angels holding a round shield (clipeus) with the deceased's family coat of arms
Inscription locationIncised on the upper-left edge of the slab
InscriptionOpus Donatelli Florentini

Location and ownership

Current locationChurch of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Rome
Current placementTo the right of the main entrance, standing upright
Original placementOn the pavement (floor) of a sacred building
RelocationMoved to its current position only recently

History and restoration

Surface conditionWorn, with signs of unavoidable smoothing due to floor-level placement
VisibilityIts recent move has not allowed greater visibility of the work

Significance

UniquenessThe only signed work from Donatello's Roman period

Other

Style/compositionMore conventional than the funerary slab of Giovanni Pecci in Siena (c. 1426), possibly due to the patrons' wishes and an attempt to suit local taste