Giovanni Pisano (c. 1248 – c.1315), Margaret of Brabant (1276- 1311) Raised from the Tomb by Two Angels, c.1313-14, Carrara marble, 78 x 116 x 47 cm, the Museo di Sant’Agostino, Genoa
Margaret of Brabant died unexpectedly in Genoa en route to Rome for her husband Henry VII’s coronation as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire (c. 1275 – 1313). Grieving his loss, Henry commissioned Giovanni Pisano to create a funerary monument in her honour, reflecting both her revered status and the political importance of their union. Margaret’s reputation for charity and piety made her widely respected, and her contemporaries immediately began venerating her as a saint.
The preserved tomb fragment depicts Margaret’s soul being lifted towards heaven by two angels. Pisano’s portrayal of Margaret captures an intense sense of spiritual elevation: her expression is serene yet filled with hope, her gaze directed upward, her mouth slightly open as if in awe or in the act of breathing anew—a powerful symbol of her passage from mortal life to divine grace. This detail of her open, hopeful expression resonates with themes of resurrection and redemption, embodying the theological ideals of her time.
Pisano’s approach, especially in his last works, broke from the traditional architectural constraints of Gothic art, blending fluid, expressive forms with a distinctly Italian sense of volumetry and movement. This gave his figures a sense of life and grace that was rarely seen in European sculpture of the period. His innovation is evident in how Margaret’s figure is freed from strict architectural framing, creating a dynamic sense of elevation and conveying her sanctity in a manner that seems to lift her soul beyond earthly bounds.
Although only fragments survive, these pieces reveal Pisano’s mastery of symbolism and his ability to convey personal and political messages. Margaret is depicted in various states—Caritas (Charity), transitus (her death), and resurrection—symbolising her preparation for the visio Dei (divine vision) and her eternal life. Pisano’s emphasis on Margaret’s ascension illustrates her sanctity and her connection to Henry’s vision of a unified empire.
