Saint Lawrence Distributing the Riches of the Church

This painting shows Saint Lawrence, a Christian saint, giving the church's treasures to the poor. It was painted by Bernardo Strozzi in 1625.

What do you see?

You see a man in a red robe handing out gold coins and a beautiful vase to people around him. Some people are kneeling and reaching out their hands. The man looks calm and kind. There is a bright light shining on him and the treasures.

Look closely

Where is the light coming from? Look at the lamp the man is holding. How does it make the scene feel?
Look at the faces of the people receiving the gifts. What do you think they are feeling?
Notice the different objects being given away: coins, a vase, a box. Why do you think the artist included so many different things?
What colors do you see most? Why do you think Strozzi used those colors?
Look at the shadows. How do they make the bright parts stand out?

Style and technique

This painting is in the Baroque style. Baroque artists loved drama. They used strong contrasts between light and dark, called chiaroscuro, to make scenes feel exciting and emotional. Strozzi used this technique to make Saint Lawrence and the treasures glow. The colors are rich and warm, with deep reds and golds.

Feeling

The painting feels generous and hopeful. The light from the lamp seems to show that Saint Lawrence is doing something good. The poor people look grateful. It makes you feel that helping others is a beautiful thing.

Connections

Try this

Draw a picture of someone helping others. Use light and dark to make the helping person stand out.
Find another painting by Bernardo Strozzi. Compare how he uses light in both.
Imagine you are Saint Lawrence. Write a short story about why you decided to give away the treasures.

Next to find

A painting that uses chiaroscuro in a different way, like by Caravaggio.
Another artwork about charity or helping the poor.
A Baroque sculpture or building that also uses dramatic light and shadow.

圣劳伦斯分发教会的财富

这幅画描绘了基督教圣徒圣劳伦斯将教会的财富分给穷人。由贝纳多·斯特罗齐于1625年创作。

你看到了什么？

你看到一个穿红袍的人正在向周围的人分发金币和一个漂亮的花瓶。有些人跪着伸出手。这个人看起来很平静、很善良。一道明亮的光照在他和财宝上。

仔细观察

光从哪里来？看看他拿着的灯。它让场景感觉如何？
看看接受礼物的人的脸。你觉得他们在想什么？
注意被送出的不同物品：硬币、花瓶、盒子。为什么艺术家要画这么多不同的东西？
你看到最多的颜色是什么？为什么斯特罗齐要用这些颜色？
看看阴影。它们如何让明亮的部分更突出？

风格与技法

这幅画是巴洛克风格。巴洛克艺术家喜欢戏剧性。他们使用强烈的明暗对比，称为明暗对照法，让场景感觉激动和充满情感。斯特罗齐用这种技法让圣劳伦斯和财宝发光。色彩丰富而温暖，有深红色和金色。

感受

这幅画让人感到慷慨和充满希望。灯的光似乎表明圣劳伦斯在做一件好事。穷人看起来充满感激。它让你觉得帮助别人是一件美好的事。

关联

试试这个

画一幅别人帮助他人的画。用明暗让帮助者突出。
找另一幅贝纳多·斯特罗齐的画。比较他如何在两幅画中使用光线。
想象你是圣劳伦斯。写一个短故事，讲述你为什么决定分发财宝。

接下来找什么

一幅以不同方式使用明暗对照法的画，比如卡拉瓦乔的作品。
另一件关于慈善或帮助穷人的艺术品。
一件也使用戏剧性光影的巴洛克雕塑或建筑。

Saint Lawrence Distributing the Riches of the Church圣劳伦斯分发教会的财富