Artwork
Der hl. Bernardin von Siena mit zwei Engeln
Der hl. Bernardin von Siena mit zwei Engeln is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Girolamo del Pacchia. It dates from 1505 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Girolamo del Pacchia’s early sixteenth‑century work, dated 1505, depicts the saint Bernardine of Siena accompanied by two celestial figures. Executed in oil on panel, the composition is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The painting’s religious subject aligns with the devotional trends of the Italian Renaissance.
Subject & Meaning
At the centre stands Bernardine, robed and solemn, his right hand extended toward a small, dark‑framed object edged in gold, a likely reference to a relic or holy text. Flanking him are two angels, rendered in red and black garments, whose gazes follow the saint, emphasizing his spiritual authority and the transmission of divine wisdom.
Technique & Style
Del Pacchia employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, creating a pronounced contrast between illuminated flesh and shadowed drapery. The background features a clear blue sky receding into distant mountains, adding depth and situating the holy scene within an idealized landscape typical of the period.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings during the museum’s 19th‑century acquisitions, reflecting the institution’s focus on Renaissance religious art. Its attribution to del Pacchia has been supported by stylistic analysis and archival records linking the work to the artist’s Siena workshop.
Artist & collection
