COLA DI PETRUCCIOLI

(b. ~1352 Orvieto, d. 1401 Perugia)

Italian painter, active in Orvieto and Prerugia. He was a pupil of Ugolino di Prete Ilario (active c. 1334-after 1378), the first well-known figure in the school of Orvieto, who was charged with much of the decoration of the Duomo between 1372-78. Ugolino appears to have been significantly influenced by the Sienese master Luca di Tommé and indeed documentation exists that confirms Luca’s presence in Orvieto at this time, and Ugolino’s acquaintance with him.

Bernard Berenson was the first to endeavour to define Petruccioli’s oeuvre, and was able to give a name to the small body of work on the basis of a signed diptych, at that time in the Spello Library and now in the Pinacoteca Civica, Spello. The two Spello panels represent The Coronation of the Virgin and The Crucifixion.

Chastity

A possible collaboration with Andrea di Givanni (active in Orvieto and Perugia, between 1378 and 1417) can be assumed.

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The Annunciation

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Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints

This panel, showing the influence of the Sienese school, depicts the Virgin and Child enthroned, flanked by St Catherine of Alexandria, St Veronica, St Mustiola and St Lucy. The little-known St Mustiola was the patron saint of Chiusi, an Umbrian town only fifty kilometres from Orvieto and Perugia. Her inclusion in the present work perhaps indicates that the panel was commissioned by a patron from Chiusi.

The present work is a rare signed example by Cola. He signs his name COLA DE URBIUETERI, ‘Urbiueteri’ being the Latin name for the town of Orvieto, providing us with primary evidence of Cola’s origin.

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