Artwork
A Miracle of Saint Francis of Paola
A Miracle of Saint Francis of Paola is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Sebastiano Ricci. It dates from 1733 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Sebastiano Ricci’s oil on canvas, dated 1733, portrays a miraculous episode associated with Saint Francis of Paola. The composition centers on a gathering of onlookers who look upward, while a woman cradling an infant gestures toward a figure lying on the ground, indicating the moment of divine intervention.
Subject & Meaning
The work illustrates a legend in which Saint Francis of Paola performs a miracle, a theme made explicit by the title. The attentive crowd and the pointing gesture suggest a revelation of the saint’s power, inviting viewers to contemplate faith and the extraordinary within everyday life.
Technique & Style
Ricci employs a vivid palette characteristic of the late Baroque, with contrasting hues that heighten the scene’s drama. The brushwork conveys kinetic energy, especially in the swirling drapery and the animated postures of the figures, creating a sense of movement that guides the eye through the narrative.
Context
Created in the early eighteenth century, the painting reflects the continued popularity of religious subjects in Venetian art circles. Ricci’s approach aligns with Baroque conventions of theatricality and emotional engagement, while also anticipating the lighter, more decorative tendencies that would later define Rococo.
Artist & collection
