Saint Charles Borromeo Meditating on the Crucifix

Copyright

Work in the public domain
Image: Courtauld
by-nc

Maker


1696-1770

Title

Saint Charles Borromeo Meditating on the Crucifix

Date of Production

1767

Medium

oil on canvas

Dimensions

Height: 63.4 cm (canvas)
Width: 38.3 cm (canvas)

Object Number

P.1978.PG.452

Mode of Acquisition

Count Antoine Seilern, bequest, 1978

Credit

Courtauld Gallery, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)

Location

On display
IIIF logo Open IIIF manifest Open in IIIF viewer What is IIIF IIIF viewers

Keywords

Label Text

The Italian painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo made this sketch in preparation for one of the seven altarpieces he painted for the Church of San Pascual in Aranjuez, Spain. The church was the first important building project undertaken by the Spanish king Charles III (reigned 1759–1788). It was built for friars known as ‘barefoot’ Franciscans, and the subjects chosen for Tiepolo’s altarpieces reflect their austere interpretation of Christianity. The one exception is this sketch, which depicts Charles Borromeo, the king’s namesake and the friars’ protector, wearing rich garments. The paintings were Tiepolo’s last major commission. They hung in the church for only a few years. The king soon found them old-fashioned and had them removed.

Provenance

Francisco Bayeu (1734-95), inv. no. 139; acquired from his executors by Leonardo Chopinot; South American collection(?); Acquired by Count Seilern, London, 1949; Princes Gate Bequest 1978.

Exhibition History

The Courtauld at the National Gallery, National Gallery, London, 27/03/2019-05/08/2019
All Spirit and Fire - Oil Sketches by Tiepolo, Courtauld Gallery, London, 23/02/2006-29/05/2006
For your approval - Oil Sketches by Tiepolo, J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California, 03/05/2005-04/09/2005
...More
Display with permanent collection, Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, 01/09/1997-01/06/1998
...Less

Information on this object may be incomplete and will be updated as research progresses. We are particularly committed to addressing any discriminatory or offensive language and ideas that may be present in our records.
We are also continuously working to digitise the collection and improve the quality of our digital resources; images will be added/updated as new photography becomes available.
To help improve this record and to enquire about images of the Courtauld Gallery Collection, please email gallery.collectionsonline@courtauld.ac.uk. 

Find out more about using and licensing our images.

____________________________

Buy a print from our collection