Giovanni Battista Pittoni

The Apotheosis of Saint Jerome with Saint Peter of Alcántara and an Unidentified Franciscan

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About this artwork

Saint Jerome on a cloud is guided heavenwards by a guardian angel. His hand rests on a skull, symbolizing the transience of earthly life. The painting was made for an altar in the nave of the popular Venetian church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli. The church was run by Franciscan nuns and in the foreground is a Franciscan friar who can be identified as the renowned sixteenth-century Spanish preacher Saint Peter of Alcą́ntara. He emphasizes the spiritual character of the event, experiencing the vision of Saint Jerome inwardly. The altarpiece, which was painted around 1725, was originally arched at the top.

Updated before 2020

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Giovanni Battista Pittoni

Giovanni Battista Pittoni