Saint Anthony of PaduaRaphael · 1502
Tempera On Panel- WallArt
- High Renaissance
1502- Renaissance
26.0 x 16.0cm
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Raphael (1483 – 1520)
Italian High Renaissance master of harmonious Madonnas and monumental Vatican frescoes, known for clarity of form and graceful composition.
Dulwich Picture Gallery (London, United Kingdom)
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A Vision of Serenity
The portrait of Saint Anthony of Padua presents a serene and contemplative figure set against a minimalist background. Rendered in a classical Renaissance style, the composition features a full-length vertical view of the saint, who is centered within the frame. The subject is depicted as a monk dressed in a greyish-brown habit, characterized by heavy folds in the monastic drapery. He holds two significant items: a blue book and a slender flowering branch, which serve as symbols of purity and sanctity.
Technique and Composition
The artwork utilizes a color palette dominated by a deep, textured ultramarine blue in the background, providing a sharp contrast to the neutral, earthy tones of the habit and the warm, pale peach of the ground. The lighting is diffused and even, appearing to originate from the front left to create subtle shadows that lend three-dimensional volume to the figure.
The technique displays fine brushwork characteristic of oil or tempera on panel, featuring:
- A smooth texture applied to the skin and facial features.
- More tactile and visible strokes within the background and fabric.
- Soft, fluid lines that define the drapery.
About this artwork
- Title: Saint Anthony of Padua
- Artist: Raphael
- Year: 1502
- Original dimensions: 26.0 x 16.0cm
- Format: Portrait
- Copyright status: Public domain
- Where to see it: Dulwich Picture Gallery
- Medium: Tempera On Panel
- Period: Renaissance
- Creative period: Early Period
Quick Facts
- Dimensions: 25.6 x 16.4cm
- Title: Saint Anthony of Padua
- Subject or theme: Saint Anthony holding a book and branch
- Artist: Raphael
- Year: 1502
Questions & Answers
Are the colors of "Saint Anthony of Padua" by Raphael saturated or muted?
"Saint Anthony of Padua" by Raphael is recorded with a balanced soft saturation.
What was Raphael's age when "Saint Anthony of Padua" was created?
Raphael made "Saint Anthony of Padua" at the age of 19. The artist was born in 1483 and the work is dated 1502.
How is "Saint Anthony of Padua" situated historically?
Historically, "Saint Anthony of Padua" is a High Renaissance work of the broader Renaissance era.