Artwork

Noli me tangere

Noli me tangere, by Federico Barocci, oil, 1596
Noli me tangere, by Federico Barocci, oil, 1596

Noli me tangere is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Federico Barocci. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1596, *Noli me tangere* is an oil painting by the Italian artist Federico Barocci, often called Il Baroccio. The work belongs to the late Renaissance Mannerist style and is part of the collection of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

Subject & Meaning

The composition portrays the biblical encounter between the resurrected Christ and Mary Magdalene. Christ, rendered with long hair and a red‑blue mantle, extends his hand toward the kneeling Magdalene, who is dressed in gold and white garments, gently touching her hair while holding a cloth.

Technique & Style

Barocci employs a subtle chiaroscuro that models the figures with soft shadows, giving them a three‑dimensional presence. The setting—a stone interior with an arched doorway opening onto a distant landscape—provides spatial depth, while the delicate coloration and graceful poses reflect Mannerist elegance.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the painting entered the Uffizi's holdings, where it remains on display. Barocci’s reputation for refined, emotive compositions grew during his lifetime, and this work exemplifies the qualities that later artists, notably those of the Baroque, admired.

Legacy

*Noli me tangere* illustrates Barocci’s influence on the transition from Mannerism to Baroque sensibilities. The painting’s balanced drama and nuanced lighting informed the approaches of subsequent masters such as Peter Paul Rubens, who drew upon Barocci’s expressive handling of religious subjects.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Federico Barocci

Artist

Federico Barocci

Federico Barocci (also written Barozzi) (c. 1535 – 30 September 1612) was an Italian Renaissance painter and printmaker. His original name was Federico Fiori, and he was nicknamed Il Baroccio. His work was highly…

Uffizi Gallery

Museum

Uffizi Gallery

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Uffizi Gallery open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.