SAN PIETRO VINCIOLI

This panel portrays the Perugia born San Pietro Vincioli. The first abbot of San Pietro, it was he who promoted the reconstruction of the basilica and its adaptation as a monastery. The Saint is caught while indicating an open book, in which an inscription tells of his importance in the history of the construction of the abbey: “sanctus Petrus p[er]usin[us] / hiu[us] mon[asterii] abbas pri / mu[s] et re[a[re]-/tor . m[u]ltis/que claruit / mi[r]acul[is] / fuit au[c]t[or] / t[em]p[o]r[e] Octo/nisi m/p[er]ato[r]is / secu[n]fi”. The painting was part of the gigantic polyptych executed by Pietro Perugino for the main altar. Taken apart in 1591 due to the renovation work directed by Valentino Martelli, the polyptych became the subject of French confiscations in 1797. Only five panels of the predella, including the panel portraying San Pietro Vincioli, were saved. It is known that Pietro Perugino had a number of assistants and collaborators while working on this great undertaking from 1495 – 1500, and among them was Eusebio da San Giorgio. Nevertheless, it is Perugino’s hand that can be detected in this panel, and the great pictorial quality and the delicate presentation of detail is of comfort to viewers.