San Giorgio, Brescia Explained

San Giorgio is a Roman Catholic church located on the Piazza of the same name, just outside Porta Bruciata, in Brescia, region of Lombardy, Italy. 45.541°N 10.2212°W

History

A church at the site is documented since 775. In 1218, Franciscan friars erected a nearby monastery and were in possession of the church. But by 1254, they had moved to the convent and church of San Francesco. By 1429, this parish church was in a dilapidated state, and a major restoration, including present facade occurred in 1639.[1]

An inventory of works in 1826 noted to right of nave an oil painting depicting a Nativity, by Giovita Bresciano, a pupil of Lattanzio Gambara. The main altarpiece depicted was by a young Gandini and two side-panels depicting St George and the Dragon and a Martyrdom of St George by Pompeo Ghitti.[2]

In addition, in the chapels on the left of the nave, there was a Virgin with Saints Francis of Paola and Leonard, by Giovanni Battista Pittoni.[3] A canvas depicting Virgin with Francis of Sales and St Catherine was attributed to Domenico Carretti. A Sacred Heart of Jesus was attributed to Antonio Dusi. A Dead Christ with St Charles is attributed to Savani. In the sacristy are some frescoes from the original romanesque church.[4] Saint George and the Princess by Cicognara also originated in the church.

The church also contains 13th century frescoes including a Christ Pantocrater. The nave ceiling was decorated by Pietro Sorisene and Pompeo Ghitti with architectural decoration by Agostino Avanzo. The apse ceiling has a depiction of the Seven Angels of the Apocalypse by Ottavio Amigoni. The exterior of the apse still betrays the Romanesque architecture of the original church.

Notes and References

  1. https://books.google.com/books?id=FeIDcd_3CL8C Guida di Brescia rapporto alle arti ed ai monumenti antichi e moderni
  2. Now in Museo Diocesano.
  3. Now in Museo Diocesano.
  4. https://books.google.com/books?id=8NFaAAAAcAAJ Nova guida per la citta di Brescia