Artwork
Apostle
Apostle is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta. It dates from 1550 and is held in the collection of the Galleria Borghese.
About this work
Overview
Apostle, a 16th-century oil painting, is a religious work by Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta, created around 1550. Characterized by Mannerist stylistic elements, it depicts a seated figure on a cloud, distinguished by vivid attire and expressive gestures.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, likely an apostle, is portrayed in contemplative pose, holding a book and raising one hand. The imagery conveys a sense of spiritual introspection, typical of religious Mannerist themes, though the specific apostle is not identified.
Technique & Style
The painting showcases Mannerist traits through its use of chiaroscuro, creating depth and volume with strong light-dark contrasts. The golden background, set against a darker border, further enhances the figure's prominence.
History & Provenance
Originally influenced by Mannerism, Siciolante later shifted towards naturalism. *Apostle*, from his earlier period, is now part of the Galleria Borghese collection in Rome.
Context
Created in Rome during the mid-16th century, *Apostle* reflects the artistic trends of its time, embodying the transitional phase from Mannerism to the beginnings of reformist naturalism in Italian art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta
Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta (1521 – c. 1580) began his career as an Italian Mannerist painter but later adopted the reformist naturalism of Girolamo Muziano in the 1560s and 70s. He was active in Rome in the mid…
