Who painted Erminia with the Shepherds?

Erminia with the Shepherds was painted by Paolo de Matteis in 1715.

Where can I see Erminia with the Shepherds?

Erminia with the Shepherds is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Erminia with the Shepherds?

Erminia with the Shepherds is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Erminia with the Shepherds

Paolo de Matteis , 1715

Erminia with the Shepherds is a wood painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Paolo de Matteis. It dates from 1715 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Erminia with the Shepherds, executed in 1715 by the Italian painter Paolo de Matteis, is a religious work rendered on walnut wood. The composition presents a armored female figure alongside a group of shepherds, children, and animals, set before a wooded landscape under a cloudy sky. The piece is part of the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, Erminia, is shown in full armor, holding a spear and shield, suggesting a protective or heroic role.

The central figure, Erminia, is shown in full armor, holding a spear and shield, suggesting a protective or heroic role. She is accompanied by a shepherd seated on a red blanket, surrounded by youngsters and livestock, which introduces a pastoral element that balances the martial presence with domestic tranquility. The juxtaposition may reflect themes of divine protection within a humble, rural setting.

Technique & Style

De Mattees employs oil on a walnut panel, allowing for fine detail in the textures of metal, fabric, and fur. The palette combines bright pinks, blues, and reds with more muted earth tones of the background, creating visual contrast between the figure’s armor and the shepherd’s simple attire. The composition is organized with clear foreground activity against a receding landscape, characteristic of early‑18th‑century Italian Baroque narrative painting.

History & Provenance

Created in 1715, the work remained in private collections before entering the holdings of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it is displayed among other Baroque religious paintings. Its attribution to Paolo de Matteis has been confirmed through stylistic analysis and archival records linking the artist to commissions of similar subject matter during that period.

Context

The painting reflects the Baroque interest in dramatic storytelling and the integration of sacred themes with everyday life. By portraying a mythic or biblical heroine among shepherds, de Matteis aligns with contemporary trends that sought to make religious narratives accessible and emotionally resonant for viewers of the early 18th century.