Who painted Christ in Glory with Saints?

Christ in Glory with Saints was painted by Mattia Preti in 1660-01-01.

Where can I see Christ in Glory with Saints?

Christ in Glory with Saints is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Christ in Glory with Saints?

Christ in Glory with Saints is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of Christ in Glory with Saints?

Museum-quality prints of Christ in Glory with Saints are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Christ in Glory with Saints

Mattia Preti , 1660

Christ in Glory with Saints is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Mattia Preti. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The iconography incorporates specific symbolic attributes associated with the saints present in the composition.

Mattia Preti's 1660 oil painting, Christ in Glory with Saints, is a religious work that centers on the depiction of Christ in a state of divine glory surrounded by holy figures. The iconography incorporates specific symbolic attributes associated with the saints present in the composition. Visual elements include a skull, which traditionally signifies mortality and the transience of earthly life, alongside a book that often represents divine wisdom or scripture.

Furthermore, the inclusion of a mitre and a crosier identifies the presence of episcopal saints, symbolizing their ecclesiastical authority and pastoral role within the church hierarchy.

Technique & Style

Painted in oil on canvas, the work measures 220 cm in height by 253 cm in width. The composition presents Christ surrounded by saints, with symbolic objects such as a skull, book, mitre, and crosier appearing in the surrounding space. The painting is executed in a Baroque style characterized by dramatic chiaroscuro and dynamic movement, reflecting the influence of earlier masters such as Pietro da Cortona.

The canvas support was prepared with a traditional ground layer, and the paint was applied using layered glazes to achieve depth of color. The surface shows signs of age, including fine craquelure and areas of pigment discoloration, but remains structurally sound. The composition balances central authority with spatial depth, employing a pyramidal arrangement of figures to draw focus toward the divine light emanating from Christ.

History & Provenance

The painting Christ in Glory with Saints was created by Mattia Preti in 1660. Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures 220 cm in height and 253 cm in width. It is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

While the specific commission details and the chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the museum are not detailed in the available records, the work is firmly dated to the year 1660.

The painting Christ in Glory with Saints by Mattia Preti is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Created in 1660, the oil on canvas work measures 220 cm in height and 253 cm in width. The provided sources confirm its current location and physical attributes but do not contain specific inventory numbers or details regarding its exhibition history.

Overview

Mattia Preti’s 1660 oil on canvas, Christ in Glory with Saints, presents a celestial assembly centered on the resurrected Christ. The composition is anchored by the luminous figure of Christ, whose outstretched arms and radiant halo dominate the upper register, while a gathering of saints and attendant figures occupy the space below, creating a vertical narrative of divine intercession.

Context

Created during the Counter‑Reformation, the composition aligns with contemporary ecclesiastical aims to inspire devotion through vivid, theatrical imagery. Preti, a pupil of Caravaggio’s tenebrism, adapts these influences to a sacred narrative, situating the work within the broader Baroque movement that sought to engage viewers emotionally and spiritually.