Artwork
Scenes from the life of Saint Benedict: the axe fixed to its shaft
Scenes from the life of Saint Benedict: the axe fixed to its shaft is an oil painting by the French Classical Baroque artist Philippe de Champaigne. It dates from 1656 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
About this work
Overview
This 1656 oil painting by Philippe de Champaigne depicts a miraculous event from the life of Saint Benedict, where an axe becomes stuck to its shaft, surrounded by a group of monks in a wooded setting.
Subject & Meaning
The scene illustrates a moment of surprise and contemplation among the monks as they witness the axe's miraculous adherence, conveying themes of reverence and the divine.
Technique & Style
Executed in the French Classical Baroque style, the painting features muted colors, soft lighting, and chiaroscuro, creating a sense of depth, dimensionality, and serene atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created by Philippe de Champaigne, a prominent French Baroque painter and Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture founder, the work is now part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philippe de Champaigne (French pronunciation: ; 26 May 1602 – 12 August 1674) was a Brabant-born French Baroque era painter, a major exponent of French Baroque painting.
Museum
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
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