Master of the story of Griselda
1493-1500
The Story of Patient Griselda, Part I
National Gallery
The three panels of the Story of Patient Griselda illustrate the last story in Boccaccio's Decameron (X, 10).
The Marquis Gualtieri di Saluzzo goes stag-hunting (left background); and he decides to marry a poor girl whom he had seen in the neighbourhood (here carrying water in the left foreground). The Marquis goes to her father's house (right background) and announces that he will marry Griselda on the condition of her absolute obedience.
He leads her away (right middle ground), and orders her in front of all his courtiers to exchange her old clothes for rich ones. Originally she was shown naked (as in the story) before the various attendants, but drapery has been added at a later date. The Marquis marries Griselda (centre) in front of a triumphal arch.
The story of Patient Griselda was an appropriate subject with which to commemorate a wedding, and these panels were probably intended to be part of a piece of domestic furniture, or to be set into the wainscoting of a bedchamber.
It has been suggested that they may have been commissioned in about 1493 to decorate a room in the Palazzo Spannocchi, Siena.
The Marquis Gualtieri di Saluzzo goes stag-hunting (left background); and he decides to marry a poor girl whom he had seen in the neighbourhood (here carrying water in the left foreground). The Marquis goes to her father's house (right background) and announces that he will marry Griselda on the condition of her absolute obedience.
He leads her away (right middle ground), and orders her in front of all his courtiers to exchange her old clothes for rich ones. Originally she was shown naked (as in the story) before the various attendants, but drapery has been added at a later date. The Marquis marries Griselda (centre) in front of a triumphal arch.
The story of Patient Griselda was an appropriate subject with which to commemorate a wedding, and these panels were probably intended to be part of a piece of domestic furniture, or to be set into the wainscoting of a bedchamber.
It has been suggested that they may have been commissioned in about 1493 to decorate a room in the Palazzo Spannocchi, Siena.
page 113
Master of the story of Griselda
1493-1500
The Story of Patient Griselda, Part II
National Gallery
Several years after their marriage the Marquis decides to put his wife's obedience to the test by having her give first her daughter and then her son to a servant. She wrongly believes that the Marquis has ordered them to be put to death (left background, in three episodes).
Underneath a loggia (centre) the Marquis pretends to receive papal permission to dissolve the marriage; he then instructs her to return to her father's house; Griselda returns her ring, and strips off her rich clothes.
She leaves to the right, to return to her father's house (right background).
Underneath a loggia (centre) the Marquis pretends to receive papal permission to dissolve the marriage; he then instructs her to return to her father's house; Griselda returns her ring, and strips off her rich clothes.
She leaves to the right, to return to her father's house (right background).
page 113
Master of the story of Griselda
1493-1500
The Story of Patient Griselda, Part III
National Gallery
The Marquis goes to find Griselda at her father's house (right background), and instructs her to prepare his house for the arrival of his new bride. Griselda obeys and is seen sweeping in the left background.
The supposed bride's cortège (in fact Griselda's daughter and son who had been brought up in Bologna) is seen beyond the loggia, and welcomed by Griselda.
The Marquis finally reveals to Griselda that the whole story has been a test of obedience (left foreground) 'to show you how to be a wife', and he reunites her with her children and restores Griselda to her position and to her home.
The supposed bride's cortège (in fact Griselda's daughter and son who had been brought up in Bologna) is seen beyond the loggia, and welcomed by Griselda.
The Marquis finally reveals to Griselda that the whole story has been a test of obedience (left foreground) 'to show you how to be a wife', and he reunites her with her children and restores Griselda to her position and to her home.
page 113