Francesco Solimena

The Holy Trinity, with the Madonna and Saints

Naples, about 1705

Oil on canvas

101 x 128 cm

This is a preliminary study for a large altarpiece, known as a modello.

It was painted for a church of Franciscan nuns in Naples where Solimena worked throughout his life.  Saint Francis, and his follower Saint Clare, are shown to the left with a group of Clare’s companions.  The Holy Trinity of God the Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit appear as a vision in the sky.  The other saints include Saint Jerome who appears with his lion below the Virgin.

Purchased 1967 (No.67.6)