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Saint Gregoire I Delivering Souls from Purgatory

Francesco Fontebasso

1744

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque 18th Century Religious

Dominant colour

Saint Gregoire I Delivering Souls from Purgatory is a 1744 ink by Francesco Fontebasso, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Francesco Fontebasso
When & what style?: 1744 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This painting shows a dramatic scene with many figures. In the foreground, a man in a robe holds a sword and looks up. He's surrounded by people, some of whom are reaching up or looking worried. Above them, there are many more figures, including angels and people who seem to be floating or falling. The scene is full of movement and emotion. The man in the foreground appears to be in charge, while the people around him seem to be reacting to something. The angels above add a sense of drama and importance to the scene. The artist's use of light and shadow adds depth and contrast to the painting. The overall effect is one of energy and tension. If you're interested in learning more about this style of art, you might want to explore the Baroque movement.