Year c. 1455 Created 1455 Genre Christian art | Artist Antonello da Messina Period Early renaissance | |
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Type Various techniques on wood Dimensions 40.2 cm × 30.2 cm (15.8 in × 11.9 in) Location Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia, Reggio Calabria Similar Antonello da Messina artwork, Christian art | ||
St. Jerome Penitent and Abraham Served by the Angels are two paintings by the Italian Renaissance master Antonello da Messina. They are housed in the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia, Reggio Calabria.
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These two panels are considered amongst the first works by Antonello da Messina. They were both intended for devotion of private owners.
St. Jerome
The painting shows elements inspired both the Flemish and Italian painting schools. The former belongs the rugged landscape, while typically Italian is the kneeling posture of St. Jerome.
Abraham Served by the Angels
Due to its poor conditions, for a long time this work was considered a part of a larger Nativity. The identification of theme was possible after the finding of a small panel by a 15th-century French master (now at Denver) in which the scene is reproduced in its entirety, and which was surely known by the Italian master: the part missing in Antonello's work would show Sarah spying Abraham from the hut's door.