Saint Vitalis and the horse

This fresco of Saint Vitalis and the horse was painted in 1523 as part of Parmigianino's early decorative program at the church of San Giovanni Evangelista in Parma. The young artist, then only twenty, was working alongside Correggio, who was painting the dome of the same church. This commission established Parmigianino's reputation as a fresco painter of exceptional promise. Characteristic of Parmigianino's approach, the work displays extreme elegance, elongated forms, serpentine grace, refined palette.

The fresco demonstrates Parmigianino's confident handling of monumental figure painting, with the saint and horse rendered in bold, assured strokes suited to the medium. The anatomical treatment of the horse reveals careful study from life.