Episode No.2 of the Stories of St James, Baptism of Hermogenes (detail, 1372-79) by Altichiero (doc.1369-84) Basilica of San Antonio, Padua
The Veronese-born artist Altichiero’s most important works are located in the North Italian city of Padua. Here he was awarded several prestigious commissions including the fresco cycle dedicated to the apostle St James the Greater in the church known as Il Santo. This famous shrine and pilgrimage site housed the tomb of the Franciscan St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231). The story of St James’s ministry, martyrdom and posthumous miracles spreads over several walls of the chapel which also house the tombs of the chapel’s original patrons. The scene reproduced depicts an episode from the saint’s ministry, The Baptism of Hermogenes. At the left the pagan magician Hermogenes lowers his head as the water is poured from a cup held by St James whose figure is not visible in this detail. Architectural forms like the narrow column shafts open up space and create a naturalistic setting for the onlookers standing at right. Altichiero portrays the men caught up in the sudden conversion and baptism of the magician. The bystanders look up over the head of Hermogenes, their attention fixed on St James (who is not included in this detail). Individual attention to each man’s costume, gesture and facial expression reveals the influence of the Florentine master Giotto on Altichiero. Such careful observation from nature persuades the viewer to identify with the story and its protagonists. This somewhat sober exploration of conversion and baptism would surely have appealed to the original viewer’s hope for salvation promised through the sacrament of baptism.
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