St James the Less, Sts Peter, Paul, John, Thomas, Philip, Judas and Thaddeus the Apostles by Giuseppe Vermiglio
Giuseppe Vermiglio's painting, "St James the Less, Sts Peter, Paul, John, Thomas, Philip, Judas and Thaddeus the Apostles," created in 1000 and housed at the State Hermitage Museum, masterfully uses symbolic objects to identify its figures.
Look closely at the hands of the apostles. John the Apostle holds a chalice, a powerful symbol referencing the legend that he survived drinking poisoned wine. Saint James the Less, meanwhile, holds a key, signifying his important role as a gatekeeper in Christian tradition.
Vermiglio, an artist born in Alessandria, employed oil paint and soft lighting to give these figures depth and solemnity. The dark background helps isolate the apostles, drawing attention to their expressions and the meaningful objects they hold.
These details reveal how much information artists once encoded directly into their paintings, expecting viewers to understand the visual language. What other hidden meanings might be found here?
Details
Transcript
Eight apostles stand in solemn council. This painting from 1000 shows specific figures. John the Apostle holds a chalice, symbol of poison he survived. Saint James the Less holds a key, denoting his role. This key signifies his identity as a gatekeeper. The painter used these objects to tell their stories.