Artwork
Saint James the Greater (with the Virgin of the Annunciation)
Saint James the Greater (with the Virgin of the Annunciation) is a tempera painting by Martino di Bartolomeo. It dates from 1412 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1412, this tempera panel by Martino di Bartolomeo portrays a solemn figure identified as Saint James the Greater, accompanied by a smaller, haloed woman traditionally associated with the Annunciation. The composition is set against an unadorned backdrop, framed by modest carved motifs, and is currently part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, a tall man in a flowing robe, holds a book and a staff, attributes commonly linked to Saint James as a pilgrim and apostle. Above him, a diminutive female figure stands within a pointed arch, her simple attire and halo suggesting the Virgin Mary at the moment of the Annunciation, thereby connecting the saint’s devotion to the Incarnation narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera, the work employs egg‑based pigments that yield a matte, enduring surface. Martino’s handling of line and modest color palette reflects the early 15th‑century Italian aesthetic, emphasizing clarity of form over naturalistic depth. The gold halos are applied with fine brushwork, providing a subtle luminous contrast against the plain background.
History & Provenance
The panel was painted in the early Renaissance period and has remained in private and institutional hands before entering the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s holdings. Documentation records its attribution to Martino di Bartolomeo, a Florentine painter active in the early 1400s, confirming its origin and dating.
Context
During the early 1400s, devotional images often paired saints with scenes from the life of Christ or the Virgin to reinforce theological connections. Saint James, a patron of pilgrims, was frequently depicted alongside Marian motifs, underscoring the intercession of the Virgin in the saint’s spiritual journey. This work exemplifies that devotional pairing within a modest, portable format.
Artist & collection
Saint Julian the Hospitaler (with Saint Nicholas of Bari)![Saint Peter, with Saint James Major [left panel], by Martino di Bartolomeo](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/martino-di-bartolomeo--saint-peter-with-saint-james-major-left-panel--20178831b0b297bc-w320.webp)
Saint Peter, with Saint James Major [left panel]![Deacon Saint, with Saint Anthony Abbot [right panel], by Martino di Bartolomeo](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/martino-di-bartolomeo--deacon-saint-with-saint-anthony-abbot-right-panel--2a458c4f3eacee3b-w320.webp)
Deacon Saint, with Saint Anthony Abbot [right panel]![Madonna and Child with the Blessing Christ, and Saints Peter, James Major, Anthony Abbott, and a Deacon Saint [entire triptych], by Martino di Bartolomeo](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/martino-di-bartolomeo--madonna-and-child-with-the-blessing-christ-and-saints-peter--2c53e26d577a363b-w320.webp)
Madonna and Child with the Blessing Christ, and Saints Peter, James Major, Anthony Abbott, and a Deacon Saint [entire triptych]![Madonna and Child, with the Blessing Christ [middle panel], by Martino di Bartolomeo](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/martino-di-bartolomeo--madonna-and-child-with-the-blessing-christ-middle-panel--9e7ebbf6d3ba8295-w320.webp)
Madonna and Child, with the Blessing Christ [middle panel]
Saint Anthony Abbot (with Saint John the Baptist)
