Saint Nicholas in Glory

Saint Nicholas in Glory
Artist	Lorenzo Lotto
Year	1527–1529
Medium	Oil on canvas
Dimensions	335 cm × 188 cm (132 in × 74 in)
Location	Santa Maria dei Carmini, Venice

Saint Nicholas in Glory is an altarpiece painting by Italian Renaissance artist Lorenzo Lotto, executed in 1527-1529 and located in the church of Santa Maria dei Carmini, Venice.

History

An inscription at the altar's base reports that the canvas was commissioned in 1527 by the guardiano (curator of the church) Giovanni Battista Donati and his vicar Giorgio de' Mundis. They chose Nicholas because of their membership in a merchants brotherood, which was dedicated to that saint. A frame in Istrian stone had been already prepared before the work's execution.

This was Lotto's first work after his return to Venice from Bergamo. Despite several innovative elements (such as the nocturnal landscape in the lower part), the canvas was poorly received by contemporaries. According to contemporary historians, the canvas was completed as soon as 1529.

Description

According to a pattern inspired by Albrecht Dürer's prints, Lotto placed St. Nicholas in the upper center, with a luminous halo crowning his face. The saint is looking upwards, suggesting that he is ascending, and is surrounded by three angels who keeps his mantle open and hold his traditional symbols: the mitre, the bishop's baton and three golden balls, remembering the three maidens saved by Nicholas according to the legend.

Under him are St. John the Baptist (patron of one of the donors) and St. Lucy, an alleged tooth of whom was preserved in the church as a relic.

The lower part is occupied by a dark landscape, featuring, among the others, a sea harbor and a port struck by a storm. The style of this section shows the influence of the Danube school. The small scene of St. George killing the dragon was added to fulfill one of the donor's wish.

Sources

• Pirovano, Carlo (2002). Lotto. Milan: Electa. ISBN 88-435-7550-3. 
• D'Adda, Roberta (2004). Lotto. Milan: Skira.