Oratorio di San Benedetto (1598)

This oratory belonged to the Confraternita di San Benedetto, which was first documented in 1320.  The confraternity also had an altar in Santa Maria Nuova opposite, for which they commissioned the important Gonfalone di Santa Maria Nuova (1471) (see the page on this church).  

Valentino Martelli designed the present oratory, which now acts as an information office for tourists.  If it is open, you can see its surviving decoration.  

Copy of the Madonna degli Alberelli (19th century)

This black and white copy replaces the original altarpiece (1508-9) of the Madonna degli Alberelli by Eusebio da San Giorgio(see below).  It depicts the Madonna and Child enthroned with SS John the Baptist and Benedict and takes its names from the trees that flank the throne.

The altarpiece was originally in a wooden frame by Giovanni Battista di Cecco (called Bastone), but was moved to the present stucco frame when the oratory was re-modelled.   It was transferred to the Galleria Nazionale and replaced by the present copy in 1863.

Scenes from the Lives of SS John the Baptist and Benedict (ca. 1610)

These frescoes by Mattiuccio Salvucci are in the vaults.

Works removed from the Oratory

Madonna degli Alberelli (1508-9)

This altarpiece was first recorded as the subject of a dispute between the confraternity and the artist from whom it was commissioned, Eusebio da San Giorgio.  As noted above, it was transferred to the Galleria Nazionale in 1863.  it is now in the deposit of there.

Return to Walk VI.