Artwork

A Cardinal's Procession

A Cardinal's Procession, by Ottavio Leoni, oil, 1621
A Cardinal's Procession, by Ottavio Leoni, oil, 1621

A Cardinal's Procession is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Ottavio Leoni. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Rendered in oil on copper, the small-scale format suited the intimate observation of courtly and religious ceremony that Ottavio Leoni was known for.

A Cardinal's Procession depicts a processional parade, a ceremonial public display associated with the Catholic Church. The painting portrays a man taking part in this formal procession, capturing the ritualized movement and visual hierarchy that characterized such ecclesiastical events in early seventeenth-century Rome. Rendered in oil on copper, the small-scale format suited the intimate observation of courtly and religious ceremony that Ottavio Leoni was known for.

The subject reflects the central role of cardinals as visible agents of papal authority, with the procession functioning both as a liturgical act and as a public manifestation of Church power and tradition.

Technique & Style

A Cardinal's Procession is an oil painting executed on a thin copper support. The work was created in 1621 using oil pigments applied to the metal surface, a technique documented in the painting's technical description. The copper panel, measuring approximately 39.4 cm in height and 37.5 cm in width, serves as the support and contributes to the painting's smooth, reflective finish.

The composition depicts a man leading a processional parade, rendered with fine brushwork that emphasizes linear precision and subtle tonal modulation. No specific handling or conservation records are provided in the sources.

History & Provenance

The painting A Cardinal's Procession was executed in 1621 by Ottavio Leoni on a copper support. It measures 39.4 cm in height and 37.5 cm in width and depicts a man participating in a processional parade. The work dates to 1621 and is classified as a painting.

It entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is part of the museum’s holdings. Documentation of its acquisition is not provided in the sources.

A Cardinal's Procession is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The painting is listed in the museum's European paintings collection and is recorded as having been created in 1621 by Ottavio Leoni on a copper support. Its dimensions are 39.4 cm in height and 37.5 cm in width.

The work is catalogued under the title A Cardinal's Procession and is part of the institution's permanent holdings. Exhibition activity for the piece is not documented in the sources consulted.

Overview

Ottavio Leoni, an Italian artist from the early-Baroque period, created A Cardinal's Procession in 1621. This painting, executed on a copper support, captures a formal parade led by a distinguished figure. The work is currently housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, offering insight into processional scenes of the era.

Context

Ottavio Leoni was an Italian painter and printmaker primarily active in Rome during the early 17th century. This period, known as the early-Baroque, saw a flourishing of religious and ceremonial art, often commissioned by the Church or prominent families. Leoni's depiction of a cardinal's procession reflects the significant role such public displays played in Roman society and religious life, capturing a moment of civic and ecclesiastical importance.

Anointing of a bishop
Anointing of a bishop, Hyacinthe Collin de Vermont

Artist & collection

Portrait of Ottavio Leoni

Artist

Ottavio Leoni

Ottavio Leoni (1578 – 4 September 1630) was an Italian painter and printmaker of the early-Baroque, active mainly in Rome.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted A Cardinal's Procession?

A Cardinal's Procession was painted by Ottavio Leoni in 1621-01-01.

Where can I see A Cardinal's Procession?

A Cardinal's Procession is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is A Cardinal's Procession?

A Cardinal's Procession is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of A Cardinal's Procession?

Museum-quality prints of A Cardinal's Procession are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.