Padua. Chapel of Saint Anthony in the Basilica
The Chapel of Saint Anthony is a splendid Renaissance work begun in 1500 and completed towards the end of that century. The architect was probably Tullio Lombardo, whose model was adopted by A. Riccio (Briosco). The chapel was embellished with the works of some of the greatest Venetian sculptors of the time.The walls are lined by nine marble reliefs showing scenes and miracles from the life of Saint Anthony. These are, from left:
-Saint Anthony Receives the Franciscan Habit (A. Minello, 1512);
-A Jealous Husband Stabs His Wife (G. Rubino and S. Cosini, 1529);
-The Saint Revives a Young Man (G. Campagna and D. Cattaneo, 1577);
-Revival of a Young Girl Who Had Drowned (I. Sansovino, 1563);
-Saint Anthony Revives a Drowned Woman (A. Minello and I. Sansovino, 1534);
-The Miracle of the Miser’s Heart (T. Lombardo, 1525);
-The Saint Reattaches the Foot of a Penitent Youth (T. Lombardo, 1525);
-The Miracle of the Un broken Drinking Glass (G. Mosca and P. Stella, 1520-29);
-A New-born Child Affirms the Honesty of His Mother (A. Lombardo, 1505).
In the centre is the altar-tomb of Saint Anthony built by Tiziano Aspetti in 1594. To the sides are two superb 17th century silver candelabra on marble bases.