Who painted St. William the Hermit?

St. William the Hermit was painted by Salvator Rosa in 1662.

Where can I see St. William the Hermit?

St. William the Hermit is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is St. William the Hermit?

St. William the Hermit is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

St. William the Hermit

Salvator Rosa , 1662

St. William the Hermit is a print by the Baroque artist Salvator Rosa. It dates from 1662 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. St.

About this work

Overview

St. William the Hermit, a painting by Italian Baroque artist Salvator Rosa, dates to circa 1662. Characterized by dramatic naturalism, it exemplifies Rosa's distinctive style, marked by intense, uncontrolled environments.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts St. William the Hermit in a state of distress, juxtaposing his serene facial expression with a contorted, pain-suggesting body posture. Surrounded by a dynamically rendered, wind-swept tree, the composition conveys tension and drama, symbolizing the saint's physical or spiritual ordeal.

Technique & Style

Rosa's signature dark, expressive palette and bold, energetic brushwork dominate the piece. The entwined tree branches, capturing the movement of wind, showcase his mastery of capturing dynamic natural elements, a hallmark of his influential Baroque style.

History & Provenance

Created during Rosa's active period in major Italian art centers (Naples, Rome, Florence), the painting is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Artist & collection

Artist

Salvator Rosa

Salvator Rosa (1615 – 15 March 1673) is best known today as an Italian Baroque painter, whose romanticised landscapes and history paintings, often set in dark and untamed nature, exerted considerable influence from the 17th century into…