Saint Fidelis of Sigmarigen and Saint Joseph of Leonessa

Tiepolo's Saint Fidelis of Sigmarigen and Saint Joseph of Leonessa, painted in 1752 for the Roman church of the Ara Coeli, depicts two Capuchin martyrs who had been canonised in 1746 and 1747 respectively. The commission from the Franciscan Capuchins placed Tiepolo in Rome, where his brilliant handling of the new saints' glory created a sensation among Roman collectors and painters. The work demonstrates his ability to give recently canonised figures the same celestial authority as ancient saints.

The two saints are shown in the lower zone, with celestial figures and divine light above. Tiepolo's organisation of the composition into earthly and heavenly registers is handled with his customary spatial fluency. His Roman palette is slightly richer and more saturated than his Venetian work, perhaps as a concession to Roman taste, while retaining his characteristic luminosity.