Curatorial Narrative This altarpiece, dated 1573, exemplifies the burgeoning interest in Baroque ornamentation that characterized the early 16th century. The anonymous artist’s masterful deployment of fine brushwork imbues the architectural subject with an almost palpable sense of atmospheric weight, as if the very fabric of the building has been distilled into a single, sepia-toned essence. The monochromatic palette, while at first glance seeming restrictive, actually serves to heighten the visual tension between the intricate ornamentation and the spare, Renaissance Revival-inspired design styles. As this altarpiece is enlarged to its intended scale approximately 44×70 feet its spatial rhythm is transformed by a dramatic increase in atmospheric weight. The chromatic structure, initially subtle, now assumes a commanding presence that dominates the surrounding space. In a luxury interior environment, the altarpiece’s material pa