Back

Baptism of Emperor Constantine

Pierre Subleyras

Basic information

ID: Ж-1460
Author: Pierre Subleyras
Name: Baptism of Emperor Constantine
Technique: oil painting
Material: canvas oil
Dimensions (height x width, cm): 45 x 54.5

Additionally

Type: painting
Genre: religious
Plot: Baptism of Emperor Constantine
Provenance: the Brunicki collection
Exposition: Potocki Palace

Information about author

Author: Pierre Subleyras
Artist's lifetime: 1699−1749
Country: France
Biography: Pierre Subleyras (1699−1749) was born in Uzes (Languedoc). He received his initial art education from his father and later attended school in Toulouse. In 1724, the artist moved to Paris, where, for his "Serpent Impudent" painting, he later received a scholarship to study in Italy. There he settled in Rome and copied the old masters' works. Soon the artist was admitted to the Academy of Saint Luke. In 1740, Cardinal Valenti Gonzaga recommended the painter to Pope Benedict XIV, whose official portrait Subleyras executed the following year. Pope's patronage ensured him a commission of "Emperor Valentinian before Bishop Basil" painting for the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Subleyras was the only French artist whose works were commissioned for this cathedral. The artist created paintings for churches not only in Rome but for the entire Italy. He was married to Maria Felice Tibaldi, a miniature painter and the daughter of musician Tibaldi. In her miniatures, she often reproduced Subleyras's creations. Pierre Subleyras is the author of many great religious and mythological artworks. The thoroughness of the narrative, the sense of composition, the natural grouping of figures, and the warmth of colour are distinctive features of the artist's works. He is considered one of the finest French 18th-century painters.

Object description

Constantine the Great was born on February 27, 272, in the Roman province of Nis (territory of present-day Serbia). His father was Constantius I, and his mother was Helena, a Christian from a common family. After his father's death in 306, the military proclaimed Constantine the ruler. At that time, the empire was ruled by four different lords, leading to disarray in the country. There was an ongoing civil war between the regional rulers for almost ten years. Constantine achieved victory in this conflict through the reputation and results of Constantius's rule and the respect of citizens and the army. During his reign, an ideological revolution took place: Christianity was recognised, and just in a few decades, it turned from a persecuted religion into a state religion. In 313, Constantine adopted the Edict of Milan, establishing religious tolerance in the empire. Later, laws were passed exempting Christian communities from taxes and public duties. In addition, Constantine initiated the historic Council of Nicaea. In 330, he relocated the capital to Byzantium, a more strategically convenient city for governing the empire. Byzantium was renamed New Rome, but it became known as Constantinople during the emperor's lifetime. The emperor himself was baptised only before his death. It happened in the palace of Nicomedia, where he then passed away on May 21, 337. The central figure in the painting is a grey-bearded priest in a headdress. He raises his hands, blessing the kneeling young man with his hands clasped on his chest, bowing before the baptismal font. Behind him are the bishops. To the right is a group of people, with a warrior holding a sword in the foreground. Above are angels and a white dove between them.

Legal regulation

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery

Baptism of Emperor Constantine

Other