DISCOVERART

Alessandro Magnasco

Theodosius Repulsed from the Church by Saint Ambrose

c. 1705
Oil on canvas
155.3 × 213.5 cm (61.1 × 84.1 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

● On view now — Gallery 215

Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · verified July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This painting depicts a historical event from the year 390 when Ambrose, the archbishop of Milan, refused to give communion to Emperor Theodosius I until he made public penance for the massacre of thousands of innocents after an insurrection. Theodosius, the last emperor to command the entire Roman Empire, eventually submitted to the archbishop’s moral authority. The brushwork and arrangement of figures in this composition showcase Alessandro Magnasco’s fluid, energetic style. However, for the elaborate background edifice, an imaginary interpretation of the atrium of an early Christian church, he most likely employed an unidentified specialist in architectural painting.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Alessandro Magnasco

Massacre of the InnocentsMassacre of the InnocentsThe Raising of LazarusThe Raising of LazarusThree Camaldolese Monks in Ecstatic PrayerThree Camaldolese Monks in Ecstatic PrayerThe Tame MagpieThe Tame MagpieThe SynagogueThe SynagogueCarthusian Monks in a LandscapeCarthusian Monks in a LandscapeLandscape with Saint Bruno ?Landscape with Saint Bruno ?Interior of a SynagogueInterior of a Synagogue

More like this

Coronation of Otto the Great in the Church of Saint'Ambrogio, MilanJohann Christoph Storer — Coronation of Otto the Great in thConsul Titus Manlius Torquatus Orders the Beheading of his SonFerdinand Bol — Consul Titus Manlius Torquatus Orders the BePius V and the Ambassador of the King of PolandBenedetto Luti — Pius V and the Ambassador of the King of PoPope Alexander III presents Doge Ziani with standards and bugles after his defeat of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, from "Il gran Teatro di Venezia" (The great theater of Venice)Anonymous|Pope Alexander III|Giulio Angolo del Moro|DomenicoAbduction of the Sabine WomenJohann Heinrich Schönfeld (German, 1609–1684) — Abduction ofCoronation of Emperor Othon celebrated in San Ambrogio, MilanJacopo Cotta|Johann Christophorus Storer — Coronation of EmpThe Carnival (or the Prodigal Son)Jan Sadeler, I — The Carnival (or the Prodigal Son)Christ Before Pilate: Large PlateRembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669) — Christ Before PilateThe Martyrdom of Saint Christopher, from "The Story of Saints James and Christopher in the Eremitani Chapel"Giovanni David|Andrea Mantegna — The Martyrdom of Saint ChriChrist Before Pilate: Large PlateRembrandt van Rijn — Christ Before Pilate: Large PlateDe afgoderij van JerobeamJacques Ignatius de Roore — De afgoderij van JerobeamChrist Driving the Money Changers from the TempleRembrandt van Rijn (Dutch, 1606–1669) — Christ Driving the M