An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Saint Bartholomew and Saint Anthony Abbot1408
Artist: Mariotto di Nardo
Italian (Florence), active 1394 - 1424
diptych, part of an altarpiece
14 x 17 1/2 x 2 7/8 in. (35.56 x 44.45 x 7.3 cm) (overall)
7 1/2 x 4 3/4 in. (19.05 x 12.07 cm) (St. Anthony Abbot)
7 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. (19.05 x 11.43 cm) (St. Bartholomew)
Tempera on poplar panel
Painting
Italy
15th century
Gift of Daniel Wildenstein
In the sun-drenched landscape of Florence, where the skies are painted in soft hues and the bustling streets echo with whispers of history, there was a masterful artist known as Mariotto. Renowned for his acute attention to detail, he brought to life the gentle shifts of color that unraveled like a secret in the angelic feathers and flowing robes he rendered.
Once, his delicate paintings crowned the upper corners of a grand altarpiece, towering above the faithful in the revered church of Santo Stefano in Pane, on the outskirts of this enchanting city. Each small panel was a window into a celestial story, inviting viewers to look deeper within.
But as the years turned, the altarpiece, a magnificent creation comprising multiple panels, fell victim to the tides of time. By the late 19th century, the unity of Mariotto’s work was shattered. Like cherished fragments of a broken dream, those precious pieces were sold separately, each one still echoing the history they once shared.
Among the remnants of this breathtaking altarpiece, two figures emerged vividly—the first being Saint Bartholomew. Strong and resolute, he clutched a butcher's knife, a haunting symbol of his martyrdom; flayed alive, he bore the weight of such sacrifice with dignity, his presence igniting a profound sense of reverence.
Next to him stood Saint Anthony Abbott, a venerable figure with a long, white beard. Born in the sands of Egypt, he retreated into the desert, embodying the spirit of hermitage and solitude. This hermit, considered the father of monasticism, lived a remarkable life nearing a century, a testament to endurance and spiritual strength. In each portrayal, he carried a crutch, signifying his wisdom and the passage of time, an emblem telling tales of faith and resilience.
As these images meander through history, transformed but still poignant, they whisper the stories of devotion, sacrifice, and the ultimate gesture of seeking a connection between the divine and the earthly. In the echoes of the past, they remind us of a time when artistry was a powerful storyteller, weaving lives into lingering legacies.
About the artist
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