description Pala Sforzesca Overview
The Pala Sforzesca (c. 1494–95) is an anonymous Milanese altarpiece depicting Ludovico Sforza and his family presented to the Virgin, now in the Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan.
help Pala Sforzesca FAQ
Where is the Pala Sforzesca displayed?
The altarpiece is in the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan, where it is listed as inventory 451. The museum's technical record dates it to 1494-1495 and identifies its medium as tempera and oil on panel.
Who commissioned the Pala Sforzesca?
The work was financed by Ludovico Sforza, known as Ludovico il Moro, for a political and devotional purpose. His family kneels before the Virgin while Saint Ambrose places a hand on Ludovico, presenting the duke as Milan's legitimate protector.
Is the artist of the Pala Sforzesca anonymous?
The work was long associated with an anonymous Master of the Pala Sforzesca. The Pinacoteca di Brera now identifies that master as Giovanni Angelo Mirofoli, although the anonymous name remains common in art-historical references.
What is shown in the Pala Sforzesca?
The central scene shows the Virgin and Child with the Doctors of the Church, while Ludovico Sforza, Beatrice d'Este, and their children appear as donors. The family portrait also functioned as a political statement after the death of Gian Galeazzo Sforza in 1494.
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
