Artwork

Der selige Ranieri von Borgo San Sepolcro erscheint einem römischen Kardinal im Schlaf

Der selige Ranieri von Borgo San Sepolcro erscheint einem römischen Kardinal im Schlaf, by Sassetta, paint, 1444
Der selige Ranieri von Borgo San Sepolcro erscheint einem römischen Kardinal im Schlaf, by Sassetta, paint, 1444

Der selige Ranieri von Borgo San Sepolcro erscheint einem römischen Kardinal im Schlaf is a paint painting by the Early Renaissance artist Sassetta. It dates from 1444 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1444 by the Sienese painter Sassetta, this tempera work portrays a visionary encounter between a sanctified figure and a Roman cardinal. The composition is divided between a group of cloaked men beside a white horse on the left and a sleeping cardinal, illuminated by a halo, on the right. The painting is part of the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin.

Subject & Meaning

The scene illustrates the blessed Ranieri of Borgo San Sepolcro appearing to a Roman cardinal during his slumber, a motif that reflects contemporary interests in divine revelation and the intercession of saints. The cardinal’s dreamlike posture and the saint’s radiant halo emphasize the spiritual message of guidance and sanctity.

Technique & Style

Sassetta combines the ornamental richness of the Gothic tradition with the emerging naturalism of early Florentine art. Muted browns, reds, and blacks dominate the palette, while careful chiaroscuro models the figures, giving them volume. Architectural elements such as arched doorways and a grid‑like wall create a sense of depth within the interior space.

History & Provenance

After its completion in the mid‑15th century, the painting entered various private collections before being acquired by the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin, where it remains on display. Its documented provenance traces a typical trajectory for Sienese works that moved from regional patronage to major European museums.

Context

Sassetta worked at a time when the Sienese School was negotiating the transition from medieval decorative conventions to the realism championed by Florentine artists like Masaccio. This work exemplifies that synthesis, presenting a narrative subject with both elaborate detail and a nascent concern for spatial coherence.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Sassetta

Artist

Sassetta

Stefano di Giovanni di Consolo, known as il Sassetta (c. 1392–1450) was a Tuscan painter of the Renaissance, and a significant figure of the Sienese School. While working within the Sienese tradition, he innovated the…

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