Saint Bartholomew 1317 - 1319

Simone Martini's "Saint Bartholomew" (1317-1319) is a tempera on panel painting that showcases the artist's mastery of Sienese painting. The artwork depicts the apostle Bartholomew, recognizable by his attribute of a knife, holding a book in his left hand, symbolizing his role as an evangelist. The gold background, a hallmark of Byzantine and medieval art, creates a sense of divine presence. The figure is rendered in a realistic manner, with meticulous attention to detail, demonstrating Martini's transition from the Gothic to the early Renaissance style.