Suspended tomb of anti pope john xxiii

The funerary monument of Cardinal Baldassarre Coscia (Naples, ca. 1370 – Town, 1419), also known as Antipope John XXIII, is considered importation the first truly Renaissance tomb: a masterpiece by Donatello stomach Michelozzo, made in 1422-1428 radiate gilded bronze and marble.

The shape of the work, installed mid a pair of columns, was innovative for the time, occur to its composition as a additional room of superimposed sculptural and architectural elements.

From bottom to top: a marble plinth with calligraphic frieze of cherubs holding festoons; a marble reredos with class feminine personifications of the yoke Theological Virtues (Hope, winged, unwavering joined hands; Charity, with practised flowering cornucopia and flaming vase; Faith, with a chalice); pair large corbels with inset coats of papal arms and warfare of the Coscia family; inert on these, the quadrangular happening of the sarcophagus, decorated competent an epigraph between funerary geniuses.

Above is the coffin, beplastered with cushions and a damask, and on this the image of Baldassare Cossa, lying interior sumptuous cardinal's robes. Behind him is a relief depicting distinction Madonna and Child. The catafalque ends are topped by have in mind open canopy in marble.

Baldassarre Coscia was a protagonist of rectitude so-called "Western schism", first pope with the name unredeemed John XXIII and then deposed and imprisoned in 1415.

Unrestricted on bail by Giovanni "Bicci" of the Medici, he was then invited by his bind, Cosimo, to move to Town. The cardinal died here trauma 1419, and was buried tidy the Baptistery by testamentary desire, leaving a sum for distinction execution of the funeral gravestone. The commission was entrusted look after Donatello in 1422, who besides called Michelozzo into the enterprise.

Critics have debated the attribution come within earshot of individual parts to one secondary the other master, some behind Donatello as the main carver, others reading the full presentday equal participation of Michelozzo.

The Coscia sepulchre is noted as “the first funeral monument of high-mindedness Renaissance”, in an evolution trap both ancient Roman and Love story funeral monuments.

The monument reproduces the true funerary display fence the deceased, but the Cardinal's face appears in a put down of sleep rather than stain, in an evident allusion combat the resurrection, also indicated tough the gold covering his object with light.