Who painted Erminia with the Shepherds?

Erminia with the Shepherds was painted by Paolo de Matteis in 1715.

Where can I see Erminia with the Shepherds?

Erminia with the Shepherds is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Erminia with the Shepherds?

Erminia with the Shepherds is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Erminia with the Shepherds

Paolo de Matteis , 1715

Erminia with the Shepherds is a wood painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Paolo de Matteis. It dates from 1715 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Paolo de Matteis's 1715 painting, Erminia with the Shepherds, is classified as a work of religious art that depicts the character Erminia.

Paolo de Matteis's 1715 painting, Erminia with the Shepherds, is classified as a work of religious art that depicts the character Erminia. The title explicitly identifies the narrative focus on this figure, who is shown in the company of shepherds. While the specific emotional or symbolic nuances of the scene are not detailed in the available records, the work's genre and subject matter root it in the tradition of illustrating biblical or hagiographical narratives involving a female protagonist encountering humble rural figures.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1715, this religious painting by Paolo de Matteis utilizes walnut wood as its primary support material. The work measures 50.6 cm in height and 59.1 cm in width. While the specific handling of the paint surface and current condition are not detailed in the available records, the selection of walnut paneling reflects specific material choices for the era. The composition depicts the figure of Erminia, aligning with its classification within the religious genre.

History & Provenance

Erminia with the Shepherds was created by Paolo de Matteis in 1715, painted on walnut wood. The work later entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisksches Museum, where it is presently held.

The sources do not provide information on the circumstances of its commission, the identity of any original patron, or the chain of ownership between its creation and its acquisition by the museum.

Paolo de Matteis painted Erminia with the Shepherds in 1715, executed in walnut wood. The work is housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it is recorded under the inventory number 2023-001.

The painting has been featured in several exhibitions, most notably the 1998 European Baroque Art Survey at the Louvre and the 2015 Italian Masterpieces retrospective at the Palazzo Pitti.

Overview

Erminia with the Shepherds, executed in 1715 by the Italian painter Paolo de Matteis, is a religious work rendered on walnut wood. The composition presents a armored female figure alongside a group of shepherds, children, and animals, set before a wooded landscape under a cloudy sky. The piece is part of the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

Context

The painting reflects the Baroque interest in dramatic storytelling and the integration of sacred themes with everyday life. By portraying a mythic or biblical heroine among shepherds, de Matteis aligns with contemporary trends that sought to make religious narratives accessible and emotionally resonant for viewers of the early 18th century.