Artwork
Christ enthroned
Christ enthroned is an oil painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Niccolò di Pietro Gerini. It dates from 1393 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Niccolò di Pietro Gerini, an Italian painter active in the late 14th century, completed the oil painting Christ enthroned in 1393. The work is part of the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich and follows the formal conventions of Byzantine religious imagery.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is Christ seated upon a cloud, clothed in a white robe with a red and blue mantle, his hand raised in a gesture of blessing while he holds a book bearing black script. A golden halo surrounds his head, underscoring his divine authority, and the serene expression conveys a sense of calm and solemnity.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on panel, Gerini employs the stiff, dramatic poses typical of the Gothic period, with meticulous attention to the intricate patterns on the garments and the illuminated book. The gold background and stylized clouds reinforce the iconographic tradition rather than exploring naturalistic space.
History & Provenance
Created in Florence in 1393, the painting later entered the holdings of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display. Its provenance reflects the movement of Italian Gothic works into northern European collections during the 19th century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Niccolò di Pietro Gerini (c. 1340 – 1414) was an Italian painter of the late Gothic period, active mainly in his native Florence although he also carried out commissions in Pisa and Prato. He was not an innovative…
