Who painted Saint Philip?

Saint Philip was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1516.

Where can I see Saint Philip?

Saint Philip is held by Uffizi Gallery.

What movement is Saint Philip?

Saint Philip is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint Philip

Albrecht Dürer , 1516

Saint Philip is a tempera painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1516 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.

About this work

The brushstrokes are smooth, especially on his face and beard, making them look almost real.

This painting shows a bearded man with thick white hair and a serious expression. He’s wearing a dark, simple robe that blends into the dark background. The brushstrokes are smooth, especially on his face and beard, making them look almost real.

The top of the painting has writing: *"SANCTE. PRONOBIS"* and *"PHILIPPE ORATE 1516."* That likely means this is a portrait of Saint Philip.

If you want to see more works like this, check out the Uffizi Gallery.

Overview

Saint Philip is a tempera painting created by Albrecht Dürer in 1516, currently housed at the Uffizi Gallery. The work portrays Philip the Evangelist, identifiable by the inscription "SANCTE. PHONOBIS" and "PHILIPPE ORATE 1516" at the top.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Philip the Evangelist as a bearded, brown- and white-haired figure with a serious expression, dressed in a simple, dark robe. The subject's identity is confirmed by the Latin inscription above, which translates to "Saint Philip, pray for us".

Technique & Style

Executed in tempera, the painting features smooth brushstrokes, particularly noticeable on the subject's face and beard, achieving a near-realistic effect. The dark, nondescript background allows the figure to dominate the composition.

History & Provenance

Created in 1516 by Albrecht Dürer, a pivotal figure of the German Renaissance, known for his contributions to engraving and printmaking. Despite his base in Nuremberg, Dürer maintained ties with prominent Italian artists of his era. The work is now part of the Uffizi Gallery's collection.