Artwork

Apostle St. James the Elder and Philip the Apostle

Apostle St. James the Elder and Philip the Apostle, by Ugolino di Nerio, unspecified, 1325
Apostle St. James the Elder and Philip the Apostle, by Ugolino di Nerio, unspecified, 1325

Apostle St. James the Elder and Philip the Apostle is an unspecified painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Ugolino di Nerio. It dates from 1325 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin. Apostle St.

About this work

Overview

Apostle St. James the Elder and Philip the Apostle is a 1325 painting by Ugolino di Nerio, an Italian artist active in Siena and Florence. The work is part of a Byzantine-influenced religious iconography tradition.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts two apostles, St. James the Elder and Philip, seated side by side within a golden, church window-shaped frame. St. James wears a dark robe over red undergarments and holds a staff, while Philip is draped in a red cloak and holds a book. Both exhibit serious expressions against a gilded background adorned with small figures at the base, conveying a sense of sacred importance.

Technique & Style

The artwork showcases a style derived from Duccio di Buoninsegna's *Maestà*, characterized by stiff, flat robe folds, typical of early Italian religious art. The liberal use of gold leaf enhances the sacred ambiance.

History & Provenance

Created in 1325, the painting is now housed in the Gemäldegalerie Berlin. Ugolino di Nerio, a follower of Duccio, played a role in introducing Sienese painting styles to Florence through his works in Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce.

Context

This piece reflects the Byzantine influence prevalent in early 14th-century Italian religious art, while also embodying the transitional stylistic elements of the time, bridging traditional Sienese and emerging Florentine artistic trends.

Legacy

While specific lasting impacts of *Apostle St. James the Elder and Philip the Apostle* on subsequent art movements are not prominently documented, it contributes to the understanding of Ugolino di Nerio's contribution to the dissemination of Sienese painting techniques in Florence during the early 14th century.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Ugolino di Nerio

Artist

Ugolino di Nerio

Ugolino di Nerio (1280? – 1349) was an Italian painter active in his native city of Siena and in Florence between the years 1317 and 1327. He was a follower of Duccio di Buoninsegna, from whose Maestà some of his…

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