Who painted Saint Anthony Abbot (with Saint John the Baptist)?

Saint Anthony Abbot (with Saint John the Baptist) was painted by Martino di Bartolomeo in 1412-01-01.

Where can I see Saint Anthony Abbot (with Saint John the Baptist)?

Saint Anthony Abbot (with Saint John the Baptist) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Saint Anthony Abbot (with Saint John the Baptist)?

Saint Anthony Abbot (with Saint John the Baptist) is associated with Sienese School.

Artwork

Saint Anthony Abbot (with Saint John the Baptist)

Martino di Bartolomeo , 1412

Saint Anthony Abbot (with Saint John the Baptist) is a tempera painting by the Sienese School artist Martino di Bartolomeo. It dates from 1412 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Anthony the Great, also known as Saint Anthony Abbot, alongside Saint John the Baptist.

The painting depicts Anthony the Great, also known as Saint Anthony Abbot, alongside Saint John the Baptist. Created as a work of religious art within the Sienese school tradition, the piece utilizes tempera and gold leaf on wood to present these two major Christian figures. The inclusion of Saint John the Baptist alongside Anthony establishes a specific devotional pairing, emphasizing the spiritual narratives associated with their respective lives.

As a religious genre work from 1412, the composition serves a liturgical or devotional function, honoring the saints through their traditional iconographic representation.

Technique & Style

The painting employs tempera on wood support, executed in 1412 by Martino di Bartolomeo. The medium combines earth pigments bound in egg tempera, applied in thin, layered strokes typical of Sienese panel painting. Gold leaf is used for the halos and decorative backgrounds, incised with linear patterns to articulate folds and textures.

The handling exhibits precise, controlled brushwork with smooth modeling of faces and drapery, aligning with late Gothic conventions in central Italy.

The composition presents a vertical format with Saint Anthony Abbot flanked by Saint John the Baptist, their figures elongated and arranged in a shallow, stage-like space. Stylistic traits include delicate facial modeling, attenuated proportions, and a restrained palette dominated by earth tones and gilded highlights, reflecting the Sienese school's emphasis on refined elegance.

History & Provenance

Created in 1412 by the Sienese master Martino di Bartolomeo, this tempera and gold leaf painting on wood depicts Saint Anthony Abbot alongside Saint John the Baptist. The work measures 150.8 cm in height and 39.1 cm in width. Its ownership history traces from the collection of Bernard Berenson to that of Theodore M. Davis before entering the holdings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The piece serves as a significant example of early 15th-century religious art within the Sienese school tradition.

Overview

Martino di Bartolomeo completed Saint Anthony Abbot (with Saint John the Baptist) in 1412. This religious painting, rendered on a wooden panel, represents a notable example of the Sienese School's artistic output. The work is currently housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it offers insight into early 15th-century devotional art practices.

Saint Anthony the Abbot and Donors, Martín Bernat

Artist & collection

Artist

Martino di Bartolomeo

Martino di Bartolomeo (1415–1420) was an artist.

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Continue through works from the same source collection.