View source for Saint Anthony of Padua (Tura)

{{Short description|Painting by Cosmè Tura}}
{{italic title}}
[[File:Cosmè Tura 009.jpg|thumb|200px|''Saint Anthony of Padua'' (c. 1484–1490) by Cosmè Tura]]
'''''Saint Anthony of Padua''''' is an oil on panel painting by [[Cosmè Tura]], executed c. 1484–1490, one of the artist's last works. It is held in the [[Galleria Estense]] in [[Modena]].<ref>Various authors, ''L'arte italiana'', Giunti, Florence 2000. {{ISBN|8809017706}}</ref>
==History==
The work is mentioned in a 1490 letter from the artist to [[Ercole I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara]], in which he asks for payment for it, stating "I do not know how to live and survive in this way, not finding work or opportunity to support my family and myself". The painting had been produced for Ercole's nephew [[Nicolò Maria d'Este|Nicolò Gurone]], soon to be bishop of [[Adria]]. Originally placed in the church of San Nicolò in [[Ferrara]],<ref>{{in lang|it}} Marcello Toffanello, Cosmè Tura, (Suppl. a Art dossier, n. 237 – ottobre 2007), Florence and Milan, Giunti, 2007, pp. 37–38, {{ISBN|9788809053298}}, pages 37–38</ref> it then passed through several institutions before being acquired by the Italian state for its current owner in 1906.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.galleriaestense.org/opera/santantonio-da-padova/#!prettyPhoto|title=Catalogue entry}}</ref>
==Description==
The painting shows the final developments of Tura's art, marked by a deep and original expressionism with flashes of visionary invention. The saint is represented very tall, with an emaciated and shocked face and in a reduced color scheme, which makes him look like a grotesque statue. The folds of his clothing are embossed by the incisive chiaroscuro as if they were made of stone, while some sharp lines, as in his hands, break the smooth course of the figure. The scene is set in a loggia with a checkerboard floor in perspective and an arch, supported by two Corinthian pillars with [[pulvinus]], beyond which it opens a vast seascape with a lowered horizon, which makes the saint appear even higher. In the sea there are some inlets with boats, softly illuminated by the golden light of the sunset.<ref>Marcello Toffanello, ''Cosmè Tura'', (Suppl. ''a Art dossie'', n. 237 – October 2007), Florence and Milan, Giunti, 2007, pp. 37–38 (Italian), ISBN 9788809053298</ref>
==References==
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==External links==
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[[Category:Paintings by Cosmè Tura]]
[[Category:Paintings in the Galleria Estense]]
[[Category:Paintings of Anthony of Padua]]
[[Category:1480s paintings]]
[[Category:1490 paintings]]
[[Category:Este collection]]