The works of the Maestro di Castelsardo in the cathedral of Sant'Antonio Abate

Castelsardo - The cathedral church of Castelsardo strikes the view from the first approach. It is in fact located on a rocky spur from which it dominates the sea, up to the island of Asinara. The exterior is very simple, spartan, almost gloomy, while the interior is vast and airy, bright. The nave is from the eighteenth century but the apse is in Gothic style, and houses a painted table which is part of a retablo (altarpiece) of which many parts have been lost.

The one in the cathedral depicts the Madonna enthroned with the Child in her arms and Saints. The author is known as the Master of Castelsardo, who lived in the 15th century. In fact, the first Renaissance hints can already be seen in the work, in the sweetness of the face and in the blond braids of the Virgin. There are many symbolic elements that populate the painting: the thistle and the pomegranate, the five white roses in Mary's hand and the bird placed on Jesus' arm. another panel of the altarpiece depicting St. Michael the Archangel defeating the devil.