The Veil of Veronica
c. 1618/1622
Medium
oil on panel
Dimensions
overall (original panel): 80.6 x 66.3 cm (31 3/4 x 26 1/8 in.) overall (with non-original wood strips): 82.5 x 68 cm (32 1/2 x 26 3/4 in.) framed: 100.7 x 86.4 cm (39 5/8 x 34 in.)
Classification
Painting
Department
CIS-B
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Accession Number
1952.5.7
Art Historical Context
Domenico Fetti’sThe Veil of Veronica*, painted in oil on panel around 1618–1622, portrays one of Christianity’s most enduring legends. to tradition, Saint Veronica offered her cloth to Christ on the road to Calvary and his face miraculously imprinted it. Fetti presents this sacred relic with quiet intimacy, inviting quiet contemplation rather than spectacle. Working in the early Baroque period, Fetti brought emotional immediacy and rich tonal contrasts to religious subjects. The oil medium allowed him to render the delicate folds of fabric and the gentle modeling of Christ’s features with sub...
About the Artist
Domenico Fetti · 1591–1623
Fetti is known for portraits and religious paintings that were reworked into contemporary genre scenes. These popular paintings were typically small in scale but noted for their broad brushstrokes. He was probably born in Rome, but is often considered a member of the Venetian School. Comment on works: Religious