MENEGHELLO di Giovanni de' Canali

The main body of the altarpiece consists of five panels: a central panel of the Virgin and Child, flanked by two panels on either side, each of which is divided into two narrative scenes, one on top of the other. The four scenes to the left of the central image depict episodes from the story of Sts Joachim and Anna and the Birth of the Virgin. Those on the right relate two miracles of the Virgin associated with the celebration of the Feast of the Conception. A predella depicting Christ and the Apostles runs beneath the main scenes.

The altarpiece can be attributed to a Venetian-born artist working in Zadar. In the past it was attributed simply to the Venetian school. The names of Lorenzo Veneziano and Jacobello del Bonomo were mentioned in this connection. However, the work is now attributed to Meneghello di Giovanni de’ Canali.

The central panel of the altarpiece represents The Virgin and Child.

The far left-hand panel of the altarpiece represents St Joachim’s Offering Rejected (above) and The Meeting at the Golden Gate (below).

The picture shows a detail of the scene The Meeting at the Golden Gate.

The far right-hand panel of the altarpiece represents Helsinus preaching the Celebration of the Feast of the Conception (above) and The French Canon restored to Life (below).

The near left-hand panel of the altarpiece represents The Angel appearing to St Joachim (above) and The Birth of the Virgin (below).

The picture shows a detail of the scene The Angel appearing to St Joachim.

The picture shows a detail of the scene The Birth of the Virgin.

The near right-hand panel of the altarpiece represents Helsinus Saved from Shipwreck (above) and A French Canon drowned by Devils (below).

The Latin inscription on the bishop saint’s scroll in the upper scene reads: “You will escape death if you celebrate the Feast of the Conception of the Virgin on the sixth day before the Ides of December {that is, 8 December}).

The picture is a detail of the scene Helsinus Saved from Shipwreck. It shows a sailor throwing cargo overboard.

The picture shows the predella fragment representing Sts Andrew and Thaddeus).

The picture shows the predella fragment representing Sts Simon and Thomas).

The picture is a detail of the predella fragment representing Christ and Eight Apostles. The detail shows St Philip, St Matthew, St James the Lesser and St Matthias.

The picture is a detail of the predella fragment representing Christ and Eight Apostles. The detail shows St James the Greater, St Peter, Christ, St John the Evangelist, and St Bartholomew.

The detail shows St Peter.

The Master of the Tkon Crucifix, identified with Meneghello, was named after this painted crucifix from the church of Sts Cosmas and Damian in the Benedictine monastery in Æokovac, near Tkon, on the island of Pašman off the coast of Dalmatia.