Artwork
Saint Francis and Saint Clare at Supper in the Convent of Saint Damian
Saint Francis and Saint Clare at Supper in the Convent of Saint Damian is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Antoni Viladomat i Manalt. It dates from 1728 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. Created in 1728, this oil on canvas portrays a modest interior where two religious figures share a simple meal.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1728, this oil on canvas portrays a modest interior where two religious figures share a simple meal. The composition centers on a table set with plates, a bowl, and a small dog looking upward, while muted browns and grays dominate the palette. Soft illumination from the left casts a gentle glow, emphasizing a quiet, contemplative mood.
Subject & Meaning
The work is traditionally identified as Saint Francis and Saint Clare dining together within the convent of Saint Damian. Their presence underscores themes of humility and communal piety, reflecting the saints’ historical dedication to modest living and shared devotion.
Technique & Style
Although Viladomat’s career unfolded during the Baroque period, this piece exhibits the lighter, decorative traits of early Rococo. The artist employs restrained coloration, delicate chiaroscuro, and a simplified spatial setting, allowing the figures and their interaction to remain the focal point.
History & Provenance
Painted by Barcelona‑born Antoni Viladomat i Manalt, a prolific late‑17th‑ to mid‑18th‑century artist, the canvas eventually entered the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, where it is currently displayed.
Context
The painting reflects the transitional moment in Catalan art when the grandeur of Baroque was giving way to the more intimate, ornamental sensibilities of Rococo. Its subject matter aligns with the Counter‑Reformation emphasis on saintly exemplars of charity and simplicity.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Antoni Viladomat i Manalt (20 March 1678 in Barcelona, Spain – 22 January 1755 in Barcelona, Spain) was a Spanish painter in the Baroque style.
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