Object number1922.1

St. Thaddeus

Daten.d.

attributed to Gherardo Starnina (Italian (Florentine), c. 1354–c. 1413)

CultureItalian [Florentine]

MediumTempera on panel

DimensionsUnframed: 68 x 34 5/8 in. (172.72 x 87.95 cm)

Credit LineGift of Frank L. Babbott

On View

On view

Period14th c

Classification(s)

Painting

BibliographyBilbao Fine Arts Museum: Bulletin 7: Painting, Devotion and Pieta in Toldeo at the Beginning of the 15th Century (Bilbao: Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, 2013), p. 69, no. 10, repr. ProvenanceKleinberger Galleries, Paris
Kleinberger Galleries, New York, 1921-1922
Frank L. Babbott
Gifted to Vassar College, 1922

Label TextSaint Thaddeus (also known as Lebbaeus of Jude) was one of the twelve apostles. The book he holds in his right hand refers to his authorship of the Last Epistle of the New Testament. The Lance in his left indicates the method of his martyrdom. While traveling with Saint Simon in Asia Minor, Thadeaus was killed with a lance in Persia for preaching the Gospel. This painting is believed to have been part of a larger ornamental panel or retable that included at least two other– perhaps as many as all twelve– apostles. Known to remain from this panel are images of Saint Bartholomew and Saint John the Evangelist, both now in the Cathedral of Toledo, Spain. The sculptural quality of the Gothic framing creates the architectural illusion that the apostle stands in a niche.

Terms

religious visual works

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email loebcollections@vassar.edu