Artwork
Saints Matthew and James the Less
Saints Matthew and James the Less is a paint painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Ugolino di Nerio. It dates from 1325 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Saints Matthew and James the Less is a painting created by Ugolino di Nerio in 1325, characterized by a Gothic frame enclosing two apostles in robes, set against a stone wall with arches. The work features muted colors, predominantly browns and golds, with flat, two-dimensional figures.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts two Christian apostles, James the Less and Matthew, each identified by their attire and attribute—a book. James wears a dark robe, while Matthew is in red, symbolizing their distinct roles within Christian tradition.
Technique & Style
Ugolino di Nerio employed a style rooted in the Byzantine iconography tradition, evident in the flat, two-dimensional rendering of the figures. The muted color palette, with emphasis on browns and golds, further aligns the work with early 14th-century Sienese painting influences.
History & Provenance
Created in 1325, the painting is attributed to Ugolino di Nerio, a follower of Duccio di Buoninsegna, who played a role in introducing Sienese painting styles to Florence. The work is currently housed in the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
Context
As part of Ugolino di Nerio’s contributions, this painting reflects the spread of Sienese artistic practices in Florence, notably through his work in churches like Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce.
Legacy
While specific lasting impacts of *Saints Matthew and James the Less* on later art are not prominently documented, it remains a representative example of early 14th-century Sienese painting’s influence on Florentine art during its period.
Artist & collection
Artist
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…
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