Saint Anthony of Padua

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called Guercino

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a figure from the waist up, facing slightly to the viewer's left. The person is depicted in a contemplative pose, gazing down at a book held open in front of them with both hands. The facial features show a serene expression with a straight nose and closed mouth. The person has short, wavy hair with a slight fringe. They are wearing a loose, flowing robe or tunic with a large hood that rests on the shoulders. Draped over the shoulders is a thin stem with leaves and flowers. A long beaded rosary or set of prayer beads hangs from one wrist. In the background is a simple, line-etched sky with a few wispy clouds and faint outlines of a building or architectural feature to the left.