Procession (left-hand portion of border below Sacrifice of Isaac, inlaid-marble pavement, Siena Cathedral) 1520 - 1550

Domenico Beccafumi made this inlaid-marble pavement around the 16th century for the Siena Cathedral. This piece, titled "Procession," formed part of a border below the Sacrifice of Isaac. Beccafumi worked at a time when the institution of the Catholic Church was at its zenith. He uses religious events to comment on social structures. It is worth asking whether the artist, who was raised in a lower class family, offers here a critique of power and piety? To understand this artwork more fully, we can delve into the historical context of Renaissance Italy. A range of historical sources, from theological texts to social histories, can shed light on the complex interplay between art, religion, and society in this period. Only by considering these factors can we begin to appreciate the full depth and complexity of this seemingly simple piece.