Artwork
Saint Damian (or Cosmas)
Saint Damian (or Cosmas) is an oil painting by Cosimo Tura. It dates from 1472 and is held in the collection of the Führermuseum. Created in 1472, this tempera panel portrays a solitary figure dressed in a green robe and a red head covering.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1472, this tempera panel portrays a solitary figure dressed in a green robe and a red head covering. The saint holds a circular object in his left hand and gazes leftward with a composed expression. The background consists of a muted brown mottling that recedes behind the figure, emphasizing his solemn presence.
Subject & Meaning
The attire and iconography identify the sitter as a Christian saint, likely one of the twin physicians Damian or Cosmas, traditionally shown with a medicinal or devotional emblem. The round object may represent a medicinal bowl or a reliquary, alluding to the saint’s role as a healer and his association with charitable care.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera, the work displays the precise, linear modeling characteristic of Cosimo Tura’s early‑Renaissance practice.
Executed in tempera, the work displays the precise, linear modeling characteristic of Cosimo Tura’s early‑Renaissance practice. Fine brushwork renders the folds of the robe and the texture of the head covering, while the controlled palette of greens, reds, and earth tones creates a restrained yet vivid visual effect. Tura’s attention to anatomical detail and surface texture reflects the Ferrara school’s emerging realism.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, acquired after passing through several private hands in the centuries following its creation. As an early work by Tura, it illustrates his contribution to the Quattrocento movement in Ferrara, where he helped establish a distinct artistic workshop that influenced regional painting for generations.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Cosmè Tura (Italian pronunciation: ; c. 1430 – 1495), also known as Il Cosmè or Cosimo Tura, was an Italian early-Renaissance (or Quattrocento) painter and considered one of the founders of the School of Ferrara. He…
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