Clothing the Naked
Clothing the naked is one of the Seven Acts of Mercy traditionally promoted in Catholicism. Sweerts reduces the theme to a fraught confrontation between two individuals, one opulently dressed, the other nude and seemingly wary of the garments offered to him. He painted this image, most likely for a Catholic patron, while living in Amsterdam and engaged in regular fasting and other acts of devotion. In 1662 the artist joined a group of missionaries bound for Persia, although he was later dismissed from their company for his erratic behavior.
Artwork Details
- Title: Clothing the Naked
- Artist: Michiel Sweerts (Flemish, Brussels 1618–1664 Goa)
- Date: ca. 1661
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 32 1/4 x 45 in. (81.9 x 114.3 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 1984
- Object Number: 1984.459.1
- Curatorial Department: European Paintings
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