Artwork
Apotheosis of a Saint
Apotheosis of a Saint is a drawing by the Baroque artist Anton Domenico Gabbiani. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Antonio Domenico Gabbiani’s drawing, dated around 1700, portrays a holy figure in the act of being lifted toward the celestial realm.
About this work
Overview
Antonio Domenico Gabbiani’s drawing, dated around 1700, portrays a holy figure in the act of being lifted toward the celestial realm. The composition is dominated by a luminous figure surrounded by a host of angels, all set against a deep, shadowed backdrop that heightens the sense of ascent and spiritual elevation.
Subject & Meaning
The central saint, robed and haloed, extends their arms upward, suggesting a surrender to divine grace. Angelic attendants, some with instruments and others gazing reverently, reinforce the theme of heavenly celebration and the transition from earthly existence to sanctified eternity.
Technique & Style
Executed in the Baroque idiom, the drawing employs stark chiaroscuro, with bright illumination cutting through a dark sky to model the figures and clouds. The dynamic poses and swirling movement convey emotional intensity, characteristic of the period’s emphasis on drama and theatricality.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1700, the work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains accessible to the public. Its attribution to Gabbiani aligns with his known output of religious subjects during the early eighteenth century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Anton Domenico Gabbiani (13 February 1652 – 22 November 1726) was an Italian painter and active in a late Baroque style. He worked primarily in Florence for the Medici court.
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