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Piccolomini Altarpiece

The Piccolomini Altarpiece is an architectural and sculptural altarpiece in the left nave of Siena Cathedral. Commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, it was intended to be his tomb, though he was later elected Pope Pius III and buried in the Vatican instead. Built between 1481 and 1485 by Andrea Bregno in Carrara marble, it was later enriched with additional works, including four niche sculptures by Michelangelo of saints Peter, Augustine, Paul, and Gregory. The figure of Augustine was later resculpted as Saint Pius. Above the altar is a Madonna and Child, probably by Jacopo della Quercia, and the central painting of the Madonna is by Paolo di Giovanni Fei from the late 14th century.

Piccolomini Altarpiece with a central Madonna and Child panel, sculpted figures in niches, and ornate marble decoration
The Piccolomini Altarpiece in Siena Cathedral, showing its central Madonna and Child panel and richly carved marble details.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
Piccolomini Altarpiece with multiple marble figures in niches and relief panels inside Siena Cathedral.
The Piccolomini Altarpiece in Siena Cathedral, with its carved marble figures and ornate architectural details.
April 2023 © · CC BY 4.0
Piccolomini Altarpiece with a central painting of the Virgin Mary and Child, flanked by large marble statues and ornate sculpted panels.
The Piccolomini Altarpiece features a central image of the Virgin Mary and Child within an elaborate marble structure.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Piccolomini Altarpiece with ornate architectural carving, niches of statues, and a smaller altar at the base.
The Piccolomini Altarpiece, an elaborate Renaissance sculpted retable with multiple niches and figures.
© Bregno, Andrea (Italian architect, sculptor, 1418-1503) (artist) · Public domain
Piccolomini Altarpiece inside a dimly lit church with black-and-white striped columns and visitors nearby.
The Piccolomini Altarpiece stands illuminated inside a grand church interior with striped columns and a few visitors watching.
August 2006 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitlePiccolomini Altarpiece
TypeArchitectural and sculptural altarpiece
Original nameAltare Piccolomini

Location and ownership

LocationLeft nave of Siena Cathedral, Siena, Italy
Central niche statue provenanceFrom the altar of Saint Thomas Aquinas, and earlier from the altar of Saint James Interciso, both in Siena Cathedral
Central niche statue placementInstalled in the central attic niche at the end of the 18th century

Historical context

Commissioner's papacyFrancesco Todeschini Piccolomini became Pope Pius III in 1503 and died after 26 days
Site arrangementThe Shoemakers' Guild agreed to give up the site if another space in the cathedral was found for them, but because of limited space they had to share the site with the cardinal
Original siteThe former altar of the Shoemakers' Guild in Siena Cathedral, dedicated to the Nativity of Mary
PurposeTo celebrate the Piccolomini family's political and cultural presence in Siena and to serve as the cardinal's tomb
DedicationIntended to honor Pope Pius II, uncle of Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini
PatronCardinal Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, later Pope Pius III

Creator

Later sculptorPietro Torrigiano
Michelangelo contribution date1501–1504
Michelangelo contributionFour statues for the lower lateral niches, made with extensive assistance
Michelangelo patronageBacked by banker Jacopo Galli
Torrigiano work period1488–1489
Michelangelo contract date5 June 1501
Painted central image artistPaolo di Giovanni Fei
Architect and primary builderAndrea Bregno
Bregno work period1481–1485
Bregno signature"Opus Andreae Mediolanensis MCCCCLXXXV"

Physical characteristics

Painted central image datec. 1390, late 14th century
Number of surviving statues by Torrigiano1
Central niche statue date1371
Painted central imageMadonna of Humility
Central niche statueMadonna and Child
Central niche statue attributionLong attributed to the young Jacopo della Quercia; now attributed by critics to Giovanni di Cecco
Number of planned statues14 full-figure statues
Number of completed statues by Michelangelo4
Michelangelo planned subject15 statues of saints
MaterialCarrara marble
ConditionIncomplete
Planned sculptural program14 full-figure statues for the niches and spaces above the attic
Central architectural elementA marble retable intended to frame Paolo di Giovanni Fei's Madonna of Humility painting
Torrigiano surviving workSaint Francis in the upper left niche

History and restoration

Construction completed1481–1485, with the work left unfinished when Bregno returned to Rome in 1486 after a physical collapse and possible artistic crisis
Later additionsAdded in the following decades
Michelangelo's reduced involvementHe worked intermittently after receiving other major commissions, especially the Florentine David
New contract date11 October 1504
Heirs' requestTodeschini's heirs secured Michelangelo's delivery of the statues and asked him to complete the four lower side-niche statues with assistants
Contract annulmentAnnulled in the 1530s by Archbishop Francesco Bandini Piccolomini
Final stateThe altarpiece remained permanently unfinished after the annulment
RestorationRestored in 2008