Artwork

Saint Agatha crowned by Angels

Saint Agatha crowned by Angels, by Paolo Veronese, oil
Saint Agatha crowned by Angels, by Paolo Veronese, oil

Saint Agatha crowned by Angels is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Paolo Veronese. It is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Saint Agatha crowned by Angels is a circa 1590 oil painting by Paolo Veronese, exemplifying the Mannerist style. It depicts the martyr Saint Agatha being crowned by angels, characterized by dramatic lighting and expressive brushwork.

Subject & Meaning

The painting honors Saint Agatha, a Sicilian martyr, in a moment of celestial recognition. Her calm demeanor and the act of crowning symbolize her spiritual triumph and martyrdom.

Technique & Style

Veronese employed thick, expressive brushstrokes, particularly in the robes, and utilized a dark background to accentuate the golden, luminous qualities of the subjects' attire and the angels' presence, hallmarking Mannerist emphasis on light and texture.

History & Provenance

Created in the late Renaissance, the work is part of Veronese's oeuvre of large-scale religious pieces. It is currently housed in the Uffizi Gallery, alongside other renowned works of Venetian art.

Context

This painting reflects Veronese's position among prominent Venetian artists of the 16th century, including Titian and Tintoretto, contributing to the era's religious and artistic discourse.

Legacy

As a Mannerist piece by a leading Venetian painter, Saint Agatha crowned by Angels influences the development of Baroque art and remains a significant example of late Renaissance religious painting.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Paolo Veronese

Artist

Paolo Veronese

Paolo Caliari (1528 – 19 April 1588), known as Paolo Veronese ( VERR-ə-NAY-zay, -⁠zee, US also -⁠see; Italian: ), was an Italian Renaissance painter based in Venice, known for extremely large history paintings of…

Uffizi Gallery

Museum

Uffizi Gallery

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Uffizi Gallery open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.