Artwork
Saint Agatha Attended by Saint Peter and an Angel in Prison
Saint Agatha Attended by Saint Peter and an Angel in Prison is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Alessandro Turchi. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
Alessandro Turchi's 1640 painting, Saint Agatha Attended by Saint Peter and an Angel in Prison, is executed on slate. It depicts a dramatic scene of the Christian martyr Saint Agatha with Saint Peter and an angel in a dimly lit prison cell.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows Saint Agatha kneeling, attended by Saint Peter and an angel holding a torch. The figures' interactions convey a sense of comfort and tension, capturing a moment of emotional intensity.
Technique & Style
Turchi's use of chiaroscuro creates a striking contrast between light and dark, emphasizing the figures against the dark prison walls. The work reflects his soft style, influenced by Caravaggisti techniques, which emphasize dramatic lighting.
History & Provenance
Turchi, also known as Alessandro Veronese or L'Orbetto, was a Veronese painter who worked primarily in Verona before moving to Rome. The painting dates to 1640, a period early in the Baroque era.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alessandro Turchi (1578 – 22 January 1649) was an Italian painter of the early Baroque, born and active mainly in Verona, and moving late in life to Rome.
