Who painted Door of St. Bartholomew?

Door of St. Bartholomew was painted by Charles Frederick William Mielatz in 1909.

Where can I see Door of St. Bartholomew?

Door of St. Bartholomew is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Artwork

Door of St. Bartholomew

Charles Frederick William Mielatz , 1909

Door of St. Bartholomew is a print by Charles Frederick William Mielatz. It dates from 1909 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Mielatz’s 1909 print titled “Door of St.

About this work

Overview

Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Mielatz’s 1909 print titled “Door of St. Bartholomew” depicts an elaborate stone portal composed of three arches. The central arch contains a carved narrative scene, while the flanking arches house diminutive statues set in niches. Above the doorway a balustrade of small columns frames a balcony, and the door itself is adorned with intricate metalwork and a central handle.

Subject & Meaning

The composition emphasizes the architectural grandeur of a medieval entrance, suggesting a sacred threshold. The central relief, populated by figures, likely alludes to a biblical or hagiographic episode associated with St. Bartholomew, whereas the side statues function as guardians, reinforcing the notion of protection and reverence at the portal.

Technique & Style

Mielatz renders the stone, metal, and sculptural elements with careful attention to texture, employing chiaroscuro to model the roughness of the masonry against the smoothness of the ironwork. Contrasting light and shadow under the arches creates a sense of depth, while fine line work delineates the delicate carvings and ornamental details.

History & Provenance

Created in 1909, the print entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in early twentieth‑century European printmaking and the artist’s reputation for architectural studies.

Context

Mielatz worked during a period when German artists frequently revisited historic architecture as a source of national identity and aesthetic inspiration. His focus on precise rendering and atmospheric effects aligns with the broader academic tradition that valued technical skill and faithful representation of historic subjects.

Artist & collection

Artist

Charles Frederick William Mielatz

Charles Frederick William Mielatz (né Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Mielatz; May 24, 1864 – July 2, 1919) was a Prussian-born American etcher, graphic artist, painter, lithographer, and educator.