Saint Nicholas of Bari 1430 - 1440

Pietro di Giovanni d'Ambrogio painted this panel of Saint Nicholas of Bari in Siena, Italy, sometime in the first half of the 15th century. As a bishop, Saint Nicholas stood as a figure of authority within the medieval church, an institution that exerted enormous social control. But as a bringer of secret gifts, he also occupied a mythic space, representing the importance of charity and generosity. The composition here is typical of the Sienese school, with its stylized form and symbolic use of color and gold. The image offers a fascinating look at the cultural values of the time: the importance of religious figures in everyday life, as well as the economic and social realities that shaped artistic production. The study of account books and guild regulations can give us insight into the practicalities of art-making in Quattrocento Siena. These resources help to reveal how artists like d'Ambrogio navigated the complex social world of their time.