MENU

Saints Cosmas and Damian

Saints Cosmas and Damian
Dosso Dossi (Giovanni di Nicolò Luteri, Tramuschio ?, 1487 circa – Ferrara, 1542) Saints Cosmas and Damian Third decade of the 17th century — Oil on canvas — Galleria Borghese, inv. 22

Commissioned from Dosso for the Hospital of Sant’Anna in Ferrara, the painting was sent in 1608 as a gift to Cardinal Scipione Borghese. The highly original composition shows Saints Cosmas and Damian, who, according to legend, were twins and doctors. One is holding a surgical instrument, the other a glass, whose contents they seem to be checking and consulting with their eyes. At their feet is a semi-reclining sick man with his back turned, similar to some of the characters depicted in the Aeneas cycle, while on the right a female figure faces the viewer. In the abstract atmosphere, the sculptural quality of the figures shines through, softly rendered through the typical application of glazes.

Newsletter

Acconsento al trattamento dei dati per le finalità indicate nell'informativa ai soli fini dell'invio della Newsletter ai sensi dell'art. 13 del Regolamento Europeo per la Protezione dei dati personali (GDPR). Se vuoi ulteriori informazioni consulta l’informativa