Artwork
Saint Paul
Saint Paul is a tempera painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Niccolò di Buonaccorso. It is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Paul the Apostle, identified as the main subject of the work created by Niccolò di Buonaccorso in 1390.
The painting depicts Paul the Apostle, identified as the main subject of the work created by Niccolò di Buonaccorso in 1390. As a piece of religious art, the figure represents the biblical apostle, a central figure in Christian theology. The work portrays a man, consistent with traditional iconography of the saint, rendered in tempera on a panel.
While the specific attributes or symbolic objects accompanying the figure are not detailed in the provided records, the depiction serves to visualize the apostle within a devotional context typical of the genre. The subject matter focuses entirely on the individual identity of Paul the Apostle rather than a broader narrative scene.
Technique & Style
The painting is executed in tempera on panel, a standard medium for Italian devotional works of the late Trecento. Its vertical format (133 × 41.9 cm) suggests it was designed as a single figure for a larger altarpiece ensemble or as an independent devotional image. The tempera medium allows for precise linear definition and luminous, flat color areas characteristic of Sienese painting of this period. The narrow proportions and life-scale depiction of the apostle emphasize the figure's monumental presence and spiritual authority.
History & Provenance
The work titled Saint Paul, painted by Niccolò di Buonaccorso in 1390, is executed in tempera on panel and belongs to the religious painting genre. It portrays the apostle Paul and was created as a devotional image in late-medieval Italy. The painting entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on public display; this ownership record constitutes its modern provenance. The work's accession number is 11.126.2.
Overview
Created around 1390 by the Sienese artist Niccolò di Buonaccorso, Saint Paul is a tempera painting now housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This work portrays the Apostle Paul, rendered with the meticulous detail characteristic of the artist's refined technique. Buonaccorso was a prominent figure in late 14th-century Siena, known for his artistic output and brief civic engagement.
Context
Beyond his artistic endeavors, Niccolò di Buonaccorso also took part in the political landscape of Siena. Historical records indicate a period during which he engaged in local governance. This involvement suggests a broader role within his community, a common aspect of life for notable artisans in Italian city-states of the late medieval period, who often contributed to civic as well as cultural spheres.
Artist & collection
Artist
Niccolò di Buonaccorso, also Niccolò di Niccolò di Buonaccorso or Bonaccorso, (active 1355 – 1388) was an Italian painter and one of the most prominent Sienese painters of the 14th century.
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