Where can I see Roundel with Saint Agnes?

Roundel with Saint Agnes is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Roundel with Saint Agnes?

Roundel with Saint Agnes is associated with Early Renaissance.

Artwork

Roundel with Saint Agnes

Roundel with Saint Agnes is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1496 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This circular painting depicts Saint Agnes, a female figure with long blonde hair, crowned in gold.

About this work

History & Provenance

The roundel depicting Saint Agnes was created in 1496 as a religious painting. While the specific patron or commissioning body remains unidentified in available records, the work is attributed to an anonymous artist active during this period. The piece entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held and displayed as part of its holdings of religious art.

Context

It is an anonymous piece that entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view.

Roundel with Saint Agnes is a late fifteenth-century religious painting dated to 1496. The work is categorized as a painting and belongs to the religious genre, depicting a solitary female figure. It is an anonymous piece that entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on view.

Its creation toward the turn of the century situates it within the broader trajectory of devotional imagery produced in workshops of the period, illustrating the prevalence of unnamed artists who specialized in intimate devotional subjects. The roundel's stylistic simplicity and iconographic focus on Saint Agnes reflect contemporary liturgical tastes.

Overview

This circular painting depicts Saint Agnes, a female figure with long blonde hair, crowned in gold. She stands on a modest platform, cradling a small lamb. Her gray robe, accented with yellow trim, contrasts with the predominantly black background, which features subtle white swirling patterns. A small boat rests at her feet, adding a curious detail to the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is identifiable as Saint Agnes, a Christian martyr. The lamb she holds is a traditional attribute, symbolizing innocence, purity, and sacrifice, often associated with Christ himself and the virtue of kindness. This iconography reinforces her identity and the religious narratives connected to her life and martyrdom.

Technique & Style

The painting exhibits a distinct stylistic approach characterized by its use of flat, unmodulated colors and prominent, bold outlines. This technique contributes to a simplified, almost two-dimensional appearance, evoking artistic traditions from earlier periods. The stark background further emphasizes the central figure, creating a clear and direct visual statement.

Roundel with Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Artist & collection

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Continue through works from the same source collection.