Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Apostles

Carlo Crivelli, 1473

Name Class Date
Carlo Crivelli, Apostles (1473). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Carlo Crivelli originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/carlo-crivelli/
Artist’s dates
1435 – 1495
Painted
1473
Medium
Tempera Pigment mixed with egg yolk — fast-drying, matt, and used for centuries before oil paint arrived.
Original size
29 x 17 cm
Movement
Late Gothic
Period
Renaissance
Artistic style
Gothic and Renaissance blend
Influences
Jacobello del Fiore, Francesco Squarcione
Notable elements or techniques
Intricate details, trompe l'oeil
Subject or theme
Religious iconography, Apostles

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Carlo Crivelli died in 1495; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1565.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 25, 2026

Apostles — Carlo Crivelli Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Apostles — Carlo Crivelli

How big is it?

The original measures 29 × 17 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1430
  2. 1440
  3. 1450
  4. 1460
  5. 1470
  6. 1480
  7. 1490

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 60 at death.

Painted when the artist was 38. The artist lived to 60. 22 of the 105 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Carlo Crivelli (1435–1495) ▲ this work, 1473 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1473 Main working years: 1473–1490 Late works: from 1490

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

  • Virgin and Child, 1482 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/carlo-crivelli-virgin-and-child-8XXR56-en/
  • Pietà, 1470 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/carlo-crivelli-pieta-8XXR69-en/
  • St George, 1472 originaluniqueart.com/en/art/carlo-crivelli-st-george-8Y35V2-en/

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/carlo-crivelli-apostles-8XXR5H-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Rosy Brown #b89e8c

    Catalogued palette

    • #B89E8C
    • #EFEAE6
    • #48302C
    • #8E6151

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Rosy Brown
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Bright How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Carlo Crivelli over the last twelve months — 13 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 64.9%
    2. 2 United States of America 15.8%
    3. 3 Singapore 6.1%
    4. 4 Hong Kong 2.6%
    5. 5 Germany 1.8%
    6. 6 Mexico 1.8%
    7. 7 Uruguay 1.8%
    8. 8 Austria 0.9%
    9. 9 Brazil 0.9%
    10. 10 Spain 0.9%
    11. · 3 other countries 2.5%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Carlo Crivelli

    1. 1 Madonna of the Passion, 1460 3.1%
    2. 2 Annunciation with Saint Emidius, 1486 3.1%
    3. 3 Lamentation over the Dead Christ, 1485 2.3%
    4. 4 St Jerome and St Augustine (detail), 1490 2.3%
    5. 5 St George, 1472 2.3%
    6. 6 St Jerome and St Augustine, 1490 2.3%
    7. 7 Polittico di Ascoli Piceno 2.3%
    8. 8 St. Thomas of Aquino 2.3%
    9. 9 María Magdalena 1 2.3%
    10. 10 Apostol St. Peter 2.3%
    11. 11 Virgin and Child, 1482 1.6%
    12. 12 Virgin proclamation, 1482 1.6%
    13. 13 Saint Bartholomew, 1475 1.6%
    14. 14 Madonna and Child Enthroned, 1477 1.6%
    15. 15 Saint James of the Marches with two kneeling donor, 1477 1.6%
    16. 16 Saint Michael, 1476 1.6%
    17. 17 Apostles, 1473 1.6%
    18. 18 Saint John the Baptist, 1468 1.6%
    19. 19 Coronation of the Virgin, 1493 1.6%
    20. — Apostles, 1473 this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 39.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 192 works by this artist, of which 82 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 25, 2026

    Apostles — Carlo Crivelli Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Apostles — Carlo Crivelli

    A Divine Encounter in Gold and Tempera

    In the quiet, luminous realm of the Italian Renaissance, few works capture the intersection of earthly detail and celestial aspiration as poignantly as Carlo Crivelli’s Apostles. Created in 1473, this masterpiece serves as a breathtaking window into a period where the boundaries between the physical world and the divine were intentionally blurred through meticulous artistry. The painting presents a scene of profound spiritual devotion, centered around a young male figure—often interpreted as an angel or a saintly apostle—captured in a moment of serene contemplation. As he gazgi upwards, his eyes reflecting a thirst for heavenly wisdom, he holds an open book, a symbol of sacred scripture and the enduring power of divine knowledge. The composition is anchored by a magnificent arched golden background, which does not merely serve as a backdrop but acts as a radiant portal, enveloping the subject in a glow that suggests the very presence of the sacred.

    The technical mastery displayed in this work is nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing Crivelli’s unique ability to marry the delicate traditions of the Late Gothic style with the burgeoning realism of the Renaissance. Utilizing the tempera medium, Crivelli achieved a level of precision that allows every fold of the figure's white robe to ripple with life, creating a sense of tactile reality. The integration of gold leaf adds a layer of sumptuous luxury, catching the light in a way that transforms the flat surface into a shimmering, multidimensional experience. This technique, combined with his signature "trompe l'oeil" approach, creates an illusion of depth and texture that invites the viewer to reach out and touch the intricate drapery and the soft, luminous skin of the subject.

    Symbolism and the Renaissance Spirit

    Beyond its visual splendor, Apostles is a profound meditation on faith and enlightenment. Every element within the frame is imbued with symbolic weight; the upward gaze of the figure represents the human soul's eternal longing for spiritual transcendence, while the book serves as the bridge between mortal understanding and divine truth. Crivulate’s style—a distinctive blend of intense expressionism and decorative intricacy—ensures that the emotional impact is felt as much as it is seen. The soft, diffused lighting creates a gentle atmosphere of piety, making the painting feel less like a static image and more like a living prayer. For the discerning collector or interior designer, this piece offers more than mere decoration; it provides a focal point of profound tranquility and intellectual depth.

    For those looking to bring the majesty of the Quattrocento into a contemporary space, a high-quality reproduction of this work offers an unparalleled opportunity. Whether placed in a curated gallery setting or as a centerpiece in a sophisticated study, the Apostles commands attention through its rich textures and historical gravity. It stands as a testament to Crivelli’s legacy—a painter who could capture the fleeting essence of a spiritual moment and freeze it in gold and pigment forever.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 25, 2026

    Apostles — Carlo Crivelli Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Carlo Crivelli

    Born in Venice, Italy

    early life and training

    carlo crivelli, an italian renaissance painter, was born in venice around 1430-35. he came from a family of painters and received his artistic formation in venice and padua. crivelli's early training is believed to have been under jacobello del fiore, who was still active in 1436. he also studied at the school of vivarini in venice.

    career and style

    crivelli spent his early years in the veneto, absorbing influences from vivarini, squarcione, and mantegna. by 1458, he left the veneto and spent most of his career in the march of ancona, developing a distinctive personal style that contrasts with that of his venetian contemporary giovanni bellini. crivelli's work is characterized by a conservative late gothic decorative sensibility, marked by a linear quality, attention to detail, and the use of "trompe l'oeil" techniques.

    notable works and collaborations

    * carlo crivelli's painting "madonna and child enthroned" (106 x 55 cm, museum of fine arts, budapest, hungary) is a prime example of his style. he collaborated with his younger brother vittorio crivelli on several projects. pietro alemanno, a painter who immigrated to the march of ancona from germany/austria, was his pupil and collaborator.

    museums and collections

    * the pinacoteca di brera in milan, italy, features several of crivelli's works, including "pietà" (128 x 241 cm). * the museum san giovanni in bragora in venice, italy, has a collection of artworks from various periods and styles, including some attributed to crivelli.

    view carlo crivelli's artworks on AllPaintingsStore.com

    explore jacopo robusti's works on AllPaintingsStore.com

    read more about carlo crivelli on wikipedia

    crivelli's legacy continues to inspire art enthusiasts and scholars alike, with his work remaining a testament to the enduring power of conservative late gothic decorative sensibility.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Apostles

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/carlo-crivelli-apostles-8XXR5H-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Crivelli, Carlo. Apostles. 1473, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/carlo-crivelli-apostles-8XXR5H-en/
    APA
    Crivelli, Carlo (1473). Apostles [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/carlo-crivelli-apostles-8XXR5H-en/
    Chicago
    Carlo Crivelli. Apostles. 1473. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/carlo-crivelli-apostles-8XXR5H-en/
    Harvard
    Crivelli, Carlo (1473) Apostles. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/carlo-crivelli-apostles-8XXR5H-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 25, 2026

    Apostles — Carlo Crivelli Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Apostles — Carlo Crivelli

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. How many faces can you find? ____ (our catalogue counts 1 — do you agree?)
    4. Our catalogue files this work under: religious art, angels, apostles. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    5. Look back at Virgin and Child (1482), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 25, 2026

    Apostles — Carlo Crivelli Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    Toward which tone does "Apostles" lean?

    "Apostles" leans toward an amber to saffron tone.

    How is "Apostles" by Carlo Crivelli proportioned, and how big is it?

    "Apostles" by Carlo Crivelli is a tall composition measuring 29 x 17 cm in the original.

    What medium is "Apostles" by Carlo Crivelli executed in?

    "Apostles" is executed in tempera.