Artwork
Saint Agnes
Saint Agnes is an oil painting by the High Baroque Italian artist Carlo Dolci. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
This 1670 oil painting by Carlo Dolci depicts Saint Agnes, a Christian martyr, in a devotional scene. It is a characteristic example of the artist's meticulously detailed religious works.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a serene young woman with a lamb, symbolizing Saint Agnes, whose name is associated with the Latin word for 'lamb'. She is dressed in a red robe with blue and gold accents, holding the white lamb close to her chest, conveying a sense of gentle devotion.
Technique & Style
The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing attention to the saint and the lamb against a dark background. The refined detail and realistic rendering are hallmarks of Dolci's style, typical of the High Baroque Italian movement.
Artist & collection
Artist
Carlo (or Carlino) Dolci (25 May 1616 – 17 January 1686) was an Italian Baroque painter active mainly in Florence, known for highly finished religious pictures, often repeated in many versions.
