Artwork
Jeremiah with Two Angels
Jeremiah with Two Angels is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Gherardo Starnina. It dates from 1410 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. Created in 1410, this panel depicts the biblical prophet Jeremiah flanked by two celestial attendants.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1410, this panel depicts the biblical prophet Jeremiah flanked by two celestial attendants. The central figure kneels, clutching a scroll that identifies him, while the angels sit calmly on either side. A luminous gold background unifies the composition, and each figure is rendered with gentle, rounded features and halos, emphasizing their sacred nature.
Subject & Meaning
The work illustrates Jeremiah, a major Old Testament prophet, engaged in a moment of contemplation or prayer, as suggested by the scroll he holds. The accompanying angels, dressed in vivid red and green‑yellow garments, appear to listen attentively, underscoring the theme of divine communication and the prophet’s role as an intermediary between God and humanity.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera on panel, the painting employs the early Quattrocento aesthetic that blends Gothic linearity with emerging naturalism. Figures are modeled with soft contours and subtle shading, while the flat gold ground reflects the period’s devotional iconography. The use of bright, contrasting robes for the angels highlights their otherworldly presence.
History & Provenance
Gherardo Starnina, a Florentine artist trained under Antonio Veneziano and Agnolo Gaddi, painted the piece before a period of service at the court of Juan I of Castile. After his Spanish sojourn, the work returned to Italy and eventually entered the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where it remains on display.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gherardo Starnina (c. 1360–1413) was an Italian painter from Florence in the Quattrocento era. According to the biographer Giorgio Vasari, Starnina initially trained with Antonio Veneziano, then with Agnolo Gaddi. He is…
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