Who painted Vision of St Gregory (?)?

Vision of St Gregory (?) was painted by Melchiorre Gherardini in 1647.

Where can I see Vision of St Gregory (?)?

Vision of St Gregory (?) is held by Hermitage Museum.

Can I buy a print of Vision of St Gregory (?)?

Museum-quality prints of Vision of St Gregory (?) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Vision of St Gregory (?)

Melchiorre Gherardini , 1647

Vision of St Gregory (?) is an oil painting by Melchiorre Gherardini. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1647, this oil on canvas by the Italian painter Melchiorre Gherardini is part of the collection of the State Hermitage Museum. The composition centers on a kneeling saint in a richly colored robe, positioned before a seated female figure holding an infant, set against a predominantly dark background punctuated by luminous cloud formations.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a saint, likely Gregory, in a posture of prayer, offering reverence to a woman—traditionally interpreted as the Virgin Mary—cradling the Christ Child. The surrounding, barely discernible figures suggest a celestial gathering, reinforcing themes of intercession and divine presence.

Technique & Style

Gherardini employs a chiaroscuro palette, contrasting deep reds, golds, blues, and oranges with the surrounding gloom. The drapery is rendered with careful attention to texture, while the soft modeling of the clouds creates a subtle atmospheric depth, characteristic of mid‑17th‑century Italian Baroque painting.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the State Hermitage Museum’s holdings in the 19th century, though precise acquisition details remain sparse. Its attribution to Gherardini, a Florentine artist active in the early Baroque period, is based on stylistic analysis and documented works from the same era.