Who painted The ascension of Saint Gennaro?

The ascension of Saint Gennaro was painted by Andrea Vaccaro in 1635.

Where can I see The ascension of Saint Gennaro?

The ascension of Saint Gennaro is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is The ascension of Saint Gennaro?

The ascension of Saint Gennaro is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of The ascension of Saint Gennaro?

Museum-quality prints of The ascension of Saint Gennaro are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The ascension of Saint Gennaro

Andrea Vaccaro , 1635

The ascension of Saint Gennaro is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Andrea Vaccaro. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition serves to visualize the spiritual triumph of the figure over earthly death, reinforcing his status as a holy intercessor.

The painting depicts Januarius, the patron saint of Naples also known as Saint Gennaro, illustrating the moment of his ascension. As a work of religious art, the image focuses on the saint's elevation to heaven, a central theme in hagiographic iconography that signifies divine approval and the reward of martyrdom. The composition serves to visualize the spiritual triumph of the figure over earthly death, reinforcing his status as a holy intercessor.

Technique & Style

The Ascension of Saint Gennaro is an oil painting executed on canvas, a support consistent with Andrea Vaccaro's standard practice for mid-seventeenth-century commissions. According to the catalogue record, the work dates to 1635 and is held by the Museo del Prado. Its dimensions are recorded as 207 cm in height by 154 cm in width, giving the composition a distinctly vertical, portrait-oriented format that suits an upward, ascending subject.

The medium is specified as oil paint on canvas, and the genre is classified as religious art, depicting Saint Januarius.

The vertical proportions and large scale would have allowed Vaccaro to organize the figures and drapery in a layered, ascending arrangement, with the saint's elevation emphasized by the tall canvas. No information on condition, handling, or specific stylistic qualities is documented in the available sources.

History & Provenance

Andrea Vaccaro created the oil-on-canvas painting titled The Ascension of Saint Gennaro in 1635. The work, which depicts the saint Januarius, measures 207 cm in height and 154 cm in width. It is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. The painting is classified as a religious artwork.

Overview

Andrea Vaccaro’s The Ascension of Saint Gennaro, executed in 1635, is an oil painting on canvas that exemplifies early Baroque religious art in Italy. The work portrays the saint’s elevation amid a stark, shadowed setting, employing a dramatic play of light and darkness. It is part of the permanent collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

Context

Vaccaro was a leading painter in 17th‑century Naples, producing numerous works for both Neapolitan churches and Spanish patrons. His oeuvre reflects the city’s artistic climate, which blended local devotional traditions with the dramatic visual language introduced by Caravaggio and his followers, shaping the broader development of Baroque painting in Southern Italy.