Pierre Subleyras
St. Ambrose Pardoning Theodosius

1745
Oil on canvas, 16 x 10.2 in. (40.5 x 25.9 cm.)
Alte Pinakothek, Munich, Germany

The humility in the emperor's repentance is expressed in his crossed-hands gesture and his having placed his crown and scepter on the floor. At the time Ambrose was 50 years old and Theodosius 47, but the saint's paternal role is emphasized by his portrayal here as a quite old man blessing one quite young.

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