Minneapolis Institute of Art

Saint Ambrose

Claude Vignon

Date

1623 or 1625

Medium

Oil on canvas

Department

European Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Saint Ambrose, who lived in the fourth century, was an important Christian scholar and bishop. Here he is depicted among his books in a forceful pose emphasized by his massive hands. On the table’s edge, a scourge, or whip—the knotted rope attached to a wooden rod—symbolizes Ambrose’s fight against heresy. The three knots refer to the doctrine of the Trinity, the concept of one god in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. Claude Vignon made this painting upon returning to Paris after spending over a decade in Italy. The saint’s sumptuous clothing and luminous gold miter (headdress) display a delight in color typical of Vignon’s work from this period. France, Europe

The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.