Artwork
Doubting Thomas
Doubting Thomas is an oil painting by Giovanni Serodine. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the National Museum in Warsaw.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1620, *Doubting Thomas* is an oil painting by Giovanni Serodine, a Swiss‑Italian artist active in the early Baroque. The work depicts a group of figures gathered around a central man examining his hand, rendered in a palette of deep shadows punctuated by illuminated faces and garments. It is currently housed in the National Museum in Warsaw.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is identified as the Apostle Thomas, whose biblical doubt leads him to touch the wounds of the resurrected Christ. Surrounding companions observe his gesture, their varied robes and concerned expressions emphasizing the tension between belief and skepticism that the narrative conveys.
Technique & Style
Serodine employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, juxtaposing stark darkness with bright highlights to model the figures and heighten drama. The brushwork is relatively free, allowing a luminous quality that recalls the influence of Caravaggio, while the composition balances naturalism with theatrical emphasis.
History & Provenance
Born in Ascona in 1600 to a family of stucco artisans, Serodine moved to Rome where he absorbed Caravaggist trends. After his Roman period, the painting entered various collections before being acquired by the National Museum in Warsaw, where it remains part of the museum’s Baroque holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Serodine (1600 – 21 December 1630) was a Swiss-Italian painter of the early Baroque period.
