Who painted Saint Nicholas of Bari?

Saint Nicholas of Bari was painted by Jacopo da Empoli in 1610.

Where can I see Saint Nicholas of Bari?

Saint Nicholas of Bari is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Nicholas of Bari?

Saint Nicholas of Bari is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Saint Nicholas of Bari

Jacopo da Empoli , 1610

Saint Nicholas of Bari is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Jacopo da Empoli. It dates from 1610 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacopo da Empoli’s drawing titled Saint Nicholas of Bari dates to around 1610 and is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington. Executed with pen and brown ink, the work incorporates brushwork, a blue wash, and underlying black chalk, all framed within a faint red‑chalk grid. The piece functions as a preparatory study, capturing the saint in a kneeling pose on a rocky ledge.

Subject & Meaning

The figure depicted is Saint Nicholas, shown in a simple robe and bent in reverence, one arm lifted in a gesture that suggests blessing or appeal. The sparse background isolates the saint, emphasizing his devotional posture and the spiritual focus of the composition without narrative distraction.

Technique & Style

Empoli combines confident, swift ink lines for the drapery with subtle shading on the face, while a cool blue wash overlays the ink to mute the tones and create a slightly ethereal atmosphere. The red‑chalk grid beneath the drawing indicates a proportional study, a common practice among Baroque artists preparing larger compositions.

History & Provenance

Created in the early seventeenth century, the drawing entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings in the twentieth century, though earlier ownership details remain undocumented. Its attribution to Jacopo da Empoli aligns with his known activity in Florence during the transition from Mannerism to early Baroque.