Artwork
Saint Thomas Surrounded by Angels (copy of the fresco in the cupola of Parma Cathedral)
Saint Thomas Surrounded by Angels (copy of the fresco in the cupola of Parma Cathedral) is a tempera painting by the Mannerist artist Correggio. It dates from 1521 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This tempera painting, dated circa 1521, is a copy by an unknown artist of Antonio da Correggio's fresco in Parma Cathedral's cupola, now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Saint Thomas seated on a cloud, clad in an orange robe and sporting a long white beard, surrounded by a multitude of angels. Some angels hold symbolic objects such as books or plants, while all gaze upwards at the saint, who looks down upon them, conveying a sense of serene interaction.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera, the work features a prominent dark brown background that contrasts with the lighter, ethereal clouds and the angels, enhancing their visibility and contributing to an overall atmosphere of peace.
History & Provenance
Originally a copy of Correggio's 1521 fresco in Parma Cathedral, the painting's specific creation circumstances and journey to the Victoria and Albert Museum are not detailed in available information.
Context
As a copy of a religious fresco, the painting reflects the artistic and devotional practices of early 16th-century Italy, where such works were integral to cathedral decor and religious veneration.
Legacy
While not an original by Correggio, the painting serves as an example of the dissemination of his style and the enduring appeal of his compositions, potentially influencing or reflecting contemporary artistic tastes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Antonio Allegri da Correggio (August 1489 – 5 March 1534), usually known as just Correggio (, also UK: , US: , Italian: ), was an Italian Renaissance painter who was the foremost painter of the Parma school of the High…
