Thesis was painted by Bartolomeo Coriolano in 1640.

Where can I see Thesis?

Thesis is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Thesis?

Thesis is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Thesis

Bartolomeo Coriolano , 1640

Thesis is an ink print by the Baroque artist Bartolomeo Coriolano. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Bartolomeo Coriolano’s 1640 print titled *Thesis* is a chiaroscuro woodcut rendered in green and black inks. The composition depicts two kneeling figures on a stony ground, each clutching a Latin placard, while two cherubic figures hover above a clouded sky. A modest edifice with a tower and a few trees occupies the distant background, all unified by stark contrasts of light and shadow.

Subject & Meaning

The kneeling men each bear a Latin inscription: *Omnibus Idem* (“the same for all”) and *Noxia Innovaque* (“guilt and innocence”). Their gestures—one pointing upward toward the cherubs—suggest a moral or theological discourse, perhaps contrasting universal judgment with the duality of sin and virtue, embodied by the winged children and their scroll.

Technique & Style

Coriolano employed the chiaroscuro woodcut method, carving separate blocks for line work and tonal areas. The primary block prints the design in black, while a secondary block adds green washes to model volume and atmospheric depth. This layered approach creates a dramatic chiaroscuro effect, emphasizing the interplay of illuminated forms against a tenebrous backdrop.

Context

Produced in mid‑17th‑century Italy, the print reflects the period’s fascination with allegorical imagery and the moralizing themes prevalent in Counter‑Reformation art. Chiaroscuro woodcuts, popularized by artists such as Ugo da Carpi, allowed printmakers to achieve painterly effects, catering to collectors seeking sophisticated, narrative prints.

History & Provenance

The work is attributed to Bartolomeo Coriolano, a member of a family of Bolognese engravers active in the early Baroque era. While specific ownership records are scarce, the print survives in several European print collections, indicating its circulation among connoisseurs of the chiaroscuro technique during the 17th and 18th centuries.