Artwork
Vision of St Antony of Padua
Vision of St Antony of Padua is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Vincenzo Carducci. It dates from 1631 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Vision of St Antony of Padua is a 1631 oil painting by Vincenzo Carducci, an Italian artist active in Spain. The work is characteristic of the early Baroque style and is now held in the State Hermitage Museum.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts St Antony of Padua in a state of ecstasy, surrounded by angels playing musical instruments. The saint's outstretched arms and rapt expression suggest a mystical experience, with the figures and objects around him serving to underscore the divine nature of the event.
Technique & Style
Carducci's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that exploits contrasts between light and dark, creates a sense of drama and highlights the saint's spiritual experience. The strong light falling on the saint's robes and the angels' wings makes them stand out against the dark background.
Artist & collection
Artist
Vincenzio Carduccio (in Spanish, sometimes Vicencio or Vicente Carducho; 1576 or 1578–1638) was an Italian painter who spent his career in Spain.
