Saint Ambrose barring Theodosius from Milan Cathedral is a painting of c. 1619–20 by Anthony van Dyck in the National Gallery, London.
Saint Ambrose barring Theodosius from Milan Cathedral | |
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Artist | Anthony van Dyck ![]() |
Year | c. 1619–20 |
Medium | Oil on canvas |
Dimensions | 149 cm (59 in) × 113 cm (44 in) |
Location | National Gallery |
Accession No. | NG50 ![]() |
Identifiers | RKDimages ID: 37078 Art UK artwork ID: the-emperor-theodosius-is-forbidden-by-saint-ambrose-to-enter-milan-cathedral-115572 |
It draws heavily on a 1618 treatment of the same subject by Peter Paul Rubens, on which van Dyck had worked as a studio assistant. In van Dyck's version, Theodosius is beardless, the architectural background is more defined, a spear and a halberd are added on the left-hand side and a dog in the bottom-left.
The painting depicts the Roman emperor Theodosius I and his entourage being barred from Milan Cathedral by its archbishop Saint Ambrose, as punishment for the Massacre of Thessalonica.