Giovanni d'Alemagna

The recorded working language is German. Places of work recorded in the authority are Venice and Padua. Works named in the authority record are Madonna and Child enthroned in paradise with the fathers of the church, triptych of Saint Moses and Coronation of Mary. Work by Giovanni d'Alemagna is recorded in the collections of Walters Art Museum, Gemäldegalerie Berlin, National Gallery Prague and Gallerie dell'Accademia.

• Name — Giovanni d'Alemagna • Birth Name — Johannes Alamanus • Born — c. 1411 • Birthplace — Venice, Italy • Died — 21 February 1450 • Place of death — Padua, Italy • Field — Painting

Giovanni d'Alemagna is remembered above all for the work done in Venice, characterized by decorative forms that recall Nordic influence. Between 1430 and 1435 he created a cycle called Stories of Christ, which are still exhibited at the Ca' d'Oro. According to Ridolfo and Zanetti, Giovanni and Antonio Vivarini flourished about the year 1440, where they adduce authority for an altar-piece in San Pantalon, which bears the inscription of Zuane e Antonio da Muran pense 1444. Although it is difficult to distinguish the two artists' contributions, Giovanni is associated with the St Jerome (1444), which carries the signature 'Johannes'. This painting suggests that Giovanni's work was generally flatter and more decorative than Antonio's more naturalistic style. Giovanni d'Alemagna and Antonio Vivarini ran an shop in Venice that specialized in multi-tiered, multi-paneled altarpieces and fanciful Gothic frames, which they subcontracted to various woodworkers. Giovanni and Antonio signed and dated the triptych representing the Enthroned Madonna with Child and Saints for the wall behind the officers' bench of the recently expanded meeting room of the Scuola della Carità (now part of the Gallerie dell'Accademia, a result of the collaboration made in 1446 for this room of the hotel. Resembling an altarpiece but functioning as an inducement to good decision making, this monumental painting shows the four doctors of the Church (Sts Gregory and Jerome at the left, Ambrose and Augustine at the right) in a courtyard around a massive Madonna and Child. The Virgin's celestial court is vividly rendered with marbled pink and grey architecture, rich deep colours, costly robes, and lovingly observed plant life. In 1448, he worked at Vivarini's workshop, which was moved to Padua, together with Andrea Mantegna and Nicolò Pizolo, in the decoration of the Ovetari Chapel, but died soon afterwards. • Illustration — Enthroned Madonna with Child and Saints Gregory and Jerome (left), Ambrose and Augustine (right) Triptych by Giovanni d'Alemagna and Antonio Vivarini (1446), Gallerie dell'Accademia He was the tutor of Quirizio da Murano, the exact date is unknown today.

• Triptych of Saint Jerome, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna • Decorations of the frescoes in the Ovetari chapel, Church of the Eremitani

• Polyptych of the Body of Christ "or the Sepulcher", 1433, with Antonio Vivarini, Church of San Zaccaria, Chapel of San Tarasio, Venice • Polyptych of Saint Sabina, 1443 and Polyptych of the Virgin with Antonio Vivarini, San Zaccaria Church, San Tarasio chapel • Coronation of the Virgin, 1444 with Antonio Vivarini, Church of San Pantalon, Venice • Triptych of the Virgin and child in majesty surrounded by angels between the doctors of the Church (saints Gregory, Jerome, Ambroise and Augustine, 1446, with Antonio Vivarini, tempera on panels, central 339cm × 200cm and two sides of 339cm × 138cm each, Gallerie dell'Accademia de Venise, Venice.

The authorities additionally record the headings Giovanni da Murano, Zuane da Murano, Giovanni d'Alamagna, Johanes Alamanus and Giovanni De Alamagna. His recorded language was German. Other recorded relations include Antonio Vivarini.

Works recorded as notable number 3: Madonna and Child enthroned in paradise with the fathers of the church, triptych of Saint Moses and Coronation of Mary.

Giovanni d'Alemagna is recorded as painter and wood engraver.