Artwork
St Christopher
St Christopher is a paint painting by the Early Renaissance artist Cosimo Tura. It dates from 1462 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1462, this panel by Cosimo Tura—an early figure of the Ferrarese school—shows a standing figure bearing a child on his shoulders. Rendered in oil paint, the composition is set against a warm, golden backdrop that unifies the scene and emphasizes the figures’ solemn presence.
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, identified by his staff and the infant he carries, traditionally understood as the Christ Child. The saint’s resolute expression and the child’s trusting gaze convey themes of protection, faith, and the spiritual journey across life’s hardships.
Technique & Style
Tura employs a restrained chiaroscuro, using subtle shifts of light and shadow to model the drapery of the dark robe and the red garment of the child. The painter’s precise linear treatment and attention to anatomical detail reflect the early Renaissance interest in naturalism while retaining a decorative elegance characteristic of Ferrarese art.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, where it remains on display. Its documented provenance traces back to the artist’s workshop in Ferrara, and it has been cited in several catalogues of Tura’s oeuvre as an example of his religious commissions during the mid‑15th century.
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…
