Gian Lorenzo Bernini | Saints Andrew and Thomas | NG6381

Saints Andrew and Thomas

Gian Lorenzo Bernini

This painting is first recorded in an inventory of June 1627 of the Palazzo Barberini, Rome. It was probably painted not long before for Pope Urban VIII or a member of his family.

Saint Andrew is shown with his symbols of a book and a fish, referring to his activity as a fisherman, and Saint Thomas has a carpenter's square. The saints engage in lively dialogue, with the prominent hand of Saint Andrew gesturing outside the painting.

In the Barberini Collection Bernini's painting was paired with Andrea Sacchi's 'Saints Anthony Abbot and Francis of Assisi'.

Key facts

Artist	Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Artist dates	1598 - 1680
Full title	Saints Andrew and Thomas
Group	Four Saints for Palazzo Barberini
Date made	before 1627
Medium and support	Oil on canvas
Dimensions	61.5 x 78.1 cm
Acquisition credit	Bought, 1967
Inventory number	NG6381
Location in Gallery	Not on display

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Saints Andrew and Thomas by Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Four Saints for Palazzo Barberini

These two paintings were presumably made as pendants, or companion pieces, and would have hung together.

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Four Saints for Palazzo Barberini

More paintings by Gian Lorenzo Bernini