Juan van der Hamen y León, Spanish, 1596-1631
Title: Saint Isidore 'Labrador'
Date: early 1620s
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
141 x 100 cm
Credit Line: Purchased, 1926
Object Number: NGI.1987
DescriptionThe author of this picture is better known for his beautiful, symmetrical still lifes. In spite of his Flemish origins, his artistic manner does not show any link with the northern school, and is essentially Spanish. He spent nearly all his life in Madrid, where he was well established among aristocratic collectors and where he tried, without success, to be appointed court painter in 1627. His ability as a painter of portraits and religious pictures has only met with due appreciation in recent years, as paintings such as this one have finally been recognised as by his hand.
St Isidore was canonised by Pope Urban VIII in 1622. However, he was already venerated in many Catholic centres, particularly in Madrid where the King himself, Philip III, was a devotee. The artist chose to represent the saint in a naturalistic way, probably as a result of innovations introduced to Spain by contemporary Italian painters. The saint is harshly lit from above, captured in an ecstatic expression with his eyes raised to heaven. His bare feet indicate his condition as a poor farmer, and in the background is an angel, who according to legend, was sent to plough the fields during St Isidore's daily prayers.
(National Gallery of Ireland: Essential Guide, 2008)
St Isidore was canonised by Pope Urban VIII in 1622. However, he was already venerated in many Catholic centres, particularly in Madrid where the King himself, Philip III, was a devotee. The artist chose to represent the saint in a naturalistic way, probably as a result of innovations introduced to Spain by contemporary Italian painters. The saint is harshly lit from above, captured in an ecstatic expression with his eyes raised to heaven. His bare feet indicate his condition as a poor farmer, and in the background is an angel, who according to legend, was sent to plough the fields during St Isidore's daily prayers.
(National Gallery of Ireland: Essential Guide, 2008)
ProvenancePossibly Major General Allen; in the collection of Major General Allen's daughter Mrs Norris, 1872; presented to Letitia Deane Bowen, 1901; sold by Mrs Deane Bowen in 1924; possibly to Mr. Green; purchased, Mr. Green, 1926
Exhibition HistoryJuan van der Hamen y León & the Court of Madrid, Palacio Real, Madrid, October 2005 - January 2006; Meadows Museum, Dallas, February - May 2006
Label TextAccording to legend, Saint Isidore was a deeply religious farmer from Madrid who cared for the poor. He was venerated in the Spanish capital before being canonised by Pope Urban VIII in 1622. Lit from above, the saint is captured in an ecstatic expression with his eyes raised to heaven. His bare feet hint at his rural origins. In the background, an angel ploughs the saint’s field during his daily prayers. Van der Hamen is generally known for his still lifes. Based in Madrid, he was in great demand among local aristocracy, but failed to be appointed as court painter.