Who painted Saint Clare?

Saint Clare was painted by Bartolomeo Vivarini in 1451.

Where can I see Saint Clare?

Saint Clare is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Saint Clare?

Saint Clare is associated with Early Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint Clare

Bartolomeo Vivarini , 1451

Saint Clare is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Bartolomeo Vivarini. It dates from 1451 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Bartolomeo Vivarini’s panel titled *Saint Clare* was completed in 1451, placing it within the early Renaissance period when artists began to revive classical principles while retaining devotional subjects. The work is executed in the Venetian tradition, where Vivarini merged lingering Gothic motifs with the nascent techniques of the Renaissance.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a female saint dressed in a long white robe accented with red stripes, a black veil covering her head, and a golden halo encircling her. She holds a book and a staff, symbols of her scholarly and ascetic life, while her down‑cast gaze and tranquil expression convey contemplative devotion.

Technique & Style

Vivarini employs chiaroscuro to model the saint’s form, creating subtle gradations of light that suggest three‑dimensional volume against a flat golden background. The contrast between illuminated areas and shadowed folds of the robe enhances the sense of depth, while the overall palette remains restrained, emphasizing the figure’s spiritual presence.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the permanent collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. It reflects Vivarini’s activity in Venice from the mid‑15th to the late‑15th century, a time when his workshop contributed to the city’s artistic output, balancing Gothic heritage with emerging Renaissance aesthetics.