Artwork
Saint Nicholas of Tolentino
Saint Nicholas of Tolentino is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Giovanni Battista Moroni. It dates from 1556 and is held in the collection of the Accademia Carrara.
About this work
Overview
Giovanni Battista Moroni’s oil on canvas, dated 1556, portrays Saint Nicholas of Tolentino. The work is part of the collection of the Accademia Carrara, where it remains on display as a representative example of mid‑sixteenth‑century religious painting.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is shown in a black habit, holding a cross topped by a golden halo and an open book bearing visible script. His gaze turns to the right, suggesting contemplation or divine revelation, while the surrounding clouds and stone architecture frame the saint within a sacred, contemplative space.
Technique & Style
Moroni employs a muted palette of browns, grays and blues, rendered with visible brushwork that gives the surface a tactile quality. The handling of light on the halo and the textured folds of the robe create a sense of depth and solemnity, characteristic of his restrained, naturalistic approach.
History & Provenance
Created in 1556, the painting entered the Accademia Carrara’s holdings at an early stage, though precise acquisition details are not recorded. Its presence in the museum’s collection underscores the institution’s focus on Lombard art of the Renaissance period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Battista Moroni, also known as Giambattista Moroni was an Italian painter of the Mannerist school.
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