“The Miracle of St. Anthony” is a renowned fresco by the illustrious Spanish artist Francisco Goya, completed in 1798. This masterpiece adheres to the Romanticism art movement, classified under the genre of quadratura. The artwork is located in the Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida in Madrid, Spain, where it graces the interior with its profound religious narrative and emotive stylistic approach typical of the Romantic era.
The artwork presents a dynamic and celestial scene, illustrating the miraculous event associated with St. Anthony of Padua. The composition is centered on the figure of St. Anthony, who is depicted with a radiant halo, gesturing towards the heavens as he stands amidst a throng of spectators. These figures are characterized by a range of vivid expressions, from awe to skepticism, and are portrayed in various poses that enhance the artwork’s dramatic effect.
The fresco is designed in a circular format, with the perspective converging towards the central oculus that allows natural light to permeate the space and illuminate the scene. This central light source further dramatizes the divine intervention suggested by the narrative. The color palette is subtle yet varied, with earthy tones dominating the scene, contrasted against the soft hues of the sky.
Goya’s artistic prowess is evident in the lifelike portrayal of the figures and the masterful manipulation of light and shadow, which imbue the artwork with a sense of depth and realism. The figures around the periphery seem to emerge from the shadows into the light, forming a bridge between the terrestrial world and the divine spectacle. The fresco exemplifies the Romantic emphasis on emotion, spirituality, and the sublime, making it a quintessential piece of its time and a significant contribution to the canon of Western art.
