Saint Ambrose
About the painting
Saint Ambrose, who lived in the fourth century, was an important Christian scholar and bishop. Here he is depicted among his books in a forceful pose emphasized by his massive hands. On the table’s edge, a scourge, or whip—the knotted rope attached to a wooden rod—symbolizes Ambrose’s fight against heresy. The three knots refer to the doctrine of the Trinity, the concept of one god in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. Claude Vignon made this painting upon returning to Paris after spending over a decade in Italy. The saint’s sumptuous clothing and luminous gold miter (headdress) display a delight in color typical of Vignon’s work from this period.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Particulars
- Accession number
- 68.43
Meanwhile, in the life of Claude Vignon
The whole life1616–1627 · Workplace
Rome
1623
Married: Charlotte de Leu
1623 · Workplace
Paris
