Oratorio dei SS Simone e Fiorenzo
(16th century)
the Confraternita di San Fiorenzo, which was established before 1337 near the church of San Fiorenzo; and
the Confraternita di San Simone, which was first documented in 1371 and associated with the nearby church of San Simone del Carmine.
In the 16th century, the confraternity had the right to carry the Gonfalone di San Fiorenzo (1476) when it was taken in procession from San Fiorenzo during times of plague. It still performed this function as late as the 17th century, notwithstanding the poor condition of the banner. By the early 19th century, the brothers had become the official custodians of the banner, and they moved it in 1807 to a new altar that they constructed in the right transept of the church. The banner was moved from this altar to the Museo Capitolare (Room 18) in 2006.
Works of Art Removed from the Oratory
Christ, the Virgin and saints (1489)
This panel is signed by Ludovico d’ Angelo and dated. It was first recorded in the late 18th century in the sacristy of the oratory, although there is nothing in its iconography to suggest that it was commissioned for this oratory. It moved to the Duomo in 1863 and is now in the Museo Capitolare (Room 17).
The altarpiece depicts five standing figures in front of a rectangular tabernacle:
Christ blessing, at the centre;
the Virgin and St Antony Abbot to the left; and
SS Francis and Jerome to the right.
Return to Walk VI.