- you are here: Home
- Hidden Treasures
- The miracle of the Slave by Jacopo Tintoretto at the Gallerie dell'Accademia
The miracle of the Slave by Jacopo Tintoretto at the Gallerie dell'Accademia
Big Names
The miracle of the Slave by Jacopo Tintoretto at the Gallerie dell'Accademia
2018 marks the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest painters of all time: Jacopo Robusti, known as Tintoretto.
On the occasion of this important celebration, the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice have put together a beautiful exhibition to delve into the beginning of the career of this brilliant artist that culminates with an incredible painting: 'The Miracle of the Slave', commissioned by the Scuola Grande di San Marco in 1548 to decorate their Chapter Hall.
It represents the story of a slave subjected to torture by his master because he was caught praying on the tomb of San Marco. The torture amounted to blinding him and fracturing his legs. The miraculous intervention of San Marco, patron of the city, broke the instruments used to torture him and spared the slave.
The action seems to take place on the stage of a theater: the crowd is contained on the left by columns and on the right by the high platform where the master sits; above the crowd there is a pergola that connects the two buildings that border the space where the events are unfolding; closing the scene there is a flat backdrop, almost like a theatrical setting, which represents the classical-style marble fence of a villa.
The spectators are arranged along two diagonal lines that meet at the center of the painting where, in a wedge in the foreground lies the foreshortened body of the slave. The crowd is diverse: men, soldiers, women, people of colour; the Orientals with the turban represent the Turks, traditional enemies of the Venetians, symbol of the unfaithful barbarians.
San Marco, invisible to those present, comes down from above. The angle from which the saint's body is seen is the same as the slave’s but at its opposite.
Book online your ticket for the Gallerie dell'Accademia and discover its most famous artworks, including 'The Miracle of the Slave' by Tintoretto!
- Google+
- tumblr
Search posts
Latest posts
Venice: What happened on May 16 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Boldo (St. Ubald Bishop) a church was dedicated to the Sain...
ViewVenice: What happened on May 1 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, today’s Saints are Sts. Philip and James, Apostles and Saint Scholastica, of whom ther...
ViewVenice: What happened on April 25 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Mark, Evangelist, Patron Saint of Venice It is the First Fea...
ViewVenice: What happened on April 20 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Victor. - April 20, 1797: capture of the French friga...
ViewTop posts
Venice: 10 songs that will make you think of Venice

Did you know that...
Sometimes we hear the first few lines of a song and our minds are suddenly transported back to a place, a memory or a dream. We put tog...
ViewPadua: Vò Euganeo: a place to be discovered

Unknown places & works
In the last few months there has been much talking around the small town of Vò, in the province of Padua. It was at the center of ever...
ViewVenice: 10 must-see movies filmed in Venice

Film Locations
Venice is unique amongst world cities and every year it turns into a dream-like experience for scores of tourists thanks to its timeles...
ViewChioggia: The Valley of the Seven Dead Men

Mysteries & Legends
Halloween is just around the corner: have you already got into the fascinating terrifying aura of the scariest party of the year? No ye...
View