Altarpiece with Christ, Saint John the Baptist, and Saint Margaret

Art Historical Context

Created in 1434 by the Italian sculptor Andrea da Giona, this marble altarpiece stands as a striking example of early fifteenth-century religious sculpture. Carved from prized Carrara marble, the work features a central image of flanked by Saint John the Baptist and Saint Margaret, along with attendant angels. Its substantial scale—measuring over six feet wide—suggests it was designed for a prominent position above an altar, where the luminous white stone would have caught the light of candles and enhanced the devotional experience for worshippers. The altarpiece reflects the transitional artistic moment in Italy between late Gothic traditions and the emerging Renaissance interest in naturalism and clear figural arrangement. Andrea da Giona’s careful carving of drapery folds and individualized facial features demonstrates the technical demands of working in marble, a medium long associated with durability and spiritual permanence. Housed today in the Metropolitan Museum’s Cloisters, the piece offers visitors a tangible connection to the religious and artistic life of fifteenth-century Europe. Assembled from multiple carved sections, including a central panel, side figures, and later restorations such as the modern plinths and angel wing, the altarpiece reveals both the original craftsmanship and the ongoing care these objects have received across centuries.