Who painted Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Saving a Shipwreck?

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Saving a Shipwreck was painted by Giovanni di Paolo in 1457.

Where can I see Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Saving a Shipwreck?

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Saving a Shipwreck is held by Philadelphia Museum of Art.

What movement is Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Saving a Shipwreck?

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Saving a Shipwreck is associated with Early Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Saving a Shipwreck?

Museum-quality prints of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Saving a Shipwreck are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Saving a Shipwreck

Giovanni di Paolo , 1457

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Saving a Shipwreck is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Giovanni di Paolo. It dates from 1457 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Created in 1457 by Giovanni di Paolo, this religious painting illustrates the miraculous intervention of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino during a maritime disaster.

Created in 1457 by Giovanni di Paolo, this religious painting illustrates the miraculous intervention of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino during a maritime disaster. The composition depicts a violent shipwreck scene where a sailboat is overwhelmed by turbulent waters, endangering the sailors aboard. Amidst the chaos, the saint appears to rescue the vessel, embodying his role as a protector of those in peril at sea.

Unusually, the work also includes a depiction of Clare of Assisi alongside the primary narrative figures. By combining elements of marine art with hagiography, the piece visualizes the power of divine intercession to overcome natural forces and save the faithful from drowning.

Technique & Style

The work is executed in tempera on a wooden panel, as indicated by its classification as a 15th‑century religious painting. Giovanni di Paolo rendered the scene with delicate linear drawing and muted earth tones, employing a composition that balances the saint’s gesture with the chaotic waves of the shipwreck. The panel’s surface shows fine craquelure typical of tempera on wood, and the handling of drapery and facial expression reflect the painter’s characteristic soft modeling and attention to narrative detail.

History & Provenance

The painting Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Saving a Shipwreck was created by Giovanni di Paolo in 1457. This work, classified as a religious and marine art piece, depicts the saint intervening to save sailors from a shipwreck, with Clare of Assisi also present in the scene. The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia.

The dimensions of the panel are recorded as 521.21 cm in height and 422.4 cm in width. The specific inception date is noted as January 1, 1457.

The painting is part of the collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where it is cataloged under inventory number 1976-134-1. It has been included in exhibitions at this institution, though specific exhibition titles and dates are not provided in the available sources.

Overview

Giovanni di Paolo’s 1457 tempera panel, now in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, presents a dramatic maritime rescue. A storm‑tossed vessel struggles amid towering waves while a luminous, haloed figure hovers above, extending a staff toward the distressed crew. The composition juxtaposes turbulent sea and celestial calm, emphasizing divine intervention in human peril.

Context

During the mid‑15th century, maritime trade and travel were vital to Italian city‑states, and saints associated with safe voyages were frequently invoked. Giovanni di Paolo, active in Siena, often incorporated narrative religious scenes with vivid natural elements, reflecting contemporary concerns about divine protection in an increasingly interconnected world.

Saint Clare rescuing the shipwrecked, Giovanni di Paolo

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Artist & collection

Artist

Giovanni di Paolo

Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia was an Italian painter, working primarily in Siena, becoming a prolific painter and illustrator of manuscripts, including Dante's texts.