Bartolomeo Montagna “Saint Paul” Poldi Pezzoli Museum in Milan in Italy

Saint Paul

Bartolomeo Montagna (1450-1523) “Saint Paul”

Painting - Tempera on Wood (112.3 x 50 cm) 1482

In this other painting by Bartolomeo Montagna, exhibited at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum in Milan, Saint Paul is represented in the same way as Saint Jerome, namely downwards at knee height, which gives the figures more presence.

Like Saint Jerome, he is standing on a rocky plane.

Still, unlike Saint Jerome, he looks straight at us in the face with the confident attitude of the preacher of the Gospel who poses majestically in front of a landscape where we can see an Italian city in the Renaissance style.

As in the painting representing Saint Jerome, the azure blue sky occupies the upper half of the picture, where the saint's face and bust stand out under a light, highlighting the wrinkles and the blood red of his coat.

Saint Paul is represented here with his attributes: the sword of his martyrdom in its sheath and the sacred book.

Likewise, he is often dressed in a red coat, which Bartolomeo Montagna respects.

Saint Paul