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San Giuseppe con Gesù Bambino e i santi Francesco di Paola, Anna, Antonio e Pietro d'Alcántara
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo·c. 1733
Historical Context
Saints Joseph, Francis of Paola, Anne, Anthony, and Peter of Alcántara with the Christ Child, painted around 1733 and now in the Gallerie dell'Accademia, is a multi-saint devotional composition assembling an array of popular Catholic saints around the central figure of the infant Jesus. The painting reflects the Counter-Reformation practice of combining multiple saints in a single composition, allowing different devotional communities to find their patron within a unified image. Tiepolo renders each saint with individual characterization while maintaining the overall compositional harmony that was essential in multi-figure devotional works.
Technical Analysis
The painting showcases Giovanni Battista Tiepolo's airy compositions, with dramatic foreshortening lending the work its distinctive character. The palette and brushwork are calibrated to serve the subject matter, demonstrating the technical command expected of a work from this period.
Look Closer
- ◆Notice the multi-saint devotional composition assembling an array of popular Catholic saints around the infant Jesus.
- ◆Look at the airy compositions and dramatic foreshortening serving the devotional purpose in this c. 1733 Gallerie dell'Accademia altarpiece.
- ◆Observe Saints Joseph, Francis of Paola, Anne, Anthony, and Peter of Alcántara gathered in celestial presence.
