Pseudo Master of Alcira, Spanish, active mid-16th century and Companion
Title: The Martyrdom of Saint James the Major
Date: 1553
Medium: Oil on wood panel, fragment
Dimensions:
142 x 132 cm
Credit Line: Purchased, 1894
Object Number: NGI.354
DescriptionThis mysterious artist was the partner of an equally unknown Valencian painter who has been identified by scholars as the Master of Alcira. Together, they painted a large retablo (altarpiece), representing on each side the legendary life of St James Major. Regrettably, this monumental work was subsequently dismembered and today it is known only by a few recovered panels.
The fragment shown here is the most significant of these, and depicts the execution of St James. Little is known about the saint except that he was the earliest of the Apostles to be martyred. During the Middle Ages, however, a number of legends arose in Spain that told of the miracles he had reputedly performed there; a cult grew around him and he became the country's patron saint.
The author of our picture undoubtedly shared a studio with the Master of Alcira for a substantial period, since both hands can be recognised in a number of works. Nevertheless, the artist's own personality is quite distinct, demonstrating a more polished design, a richer palette, and a greater expressivity in the figures. The painter's artistic formation is a combination of mannerism with a certain Gothic flavour, which reflects not only northern Italian but also southern German influence.
(National Gallery of Ireland: Essential Guide, 2008)
The fragment shown here is the most significant of these, and depicts the execution of St James. Little is known about the saint except that he was the earliest of the Apostles to be martyred. During the Middle Ages, however, a number of legends arose in Spain that told of the miracles he had reputedly performed there; a cult grew around him and he became the country's patron saint.
The author of our picture undoubtedly shared a studio with the Master of Alcira for a substantial period, since both hands can be recognised in a number of works. Nevertheless, the artist's own personality is quite distinct, demonstrating a more polished design, a richer palette, and a greater expressivity in the figures. The painter's artistic formation is a combination of mannerism with a certain Gothic flavour, which reflects not only northern Italian but also southern German influence.
(National Gallery of Ireland: Essential Guide, 2008)
ProvenanceMr. Grieve D. Christie, Dublin, c. 1870-1885; Mr. Cherry; Mr. O'Hea; purchased Mr. J. O'Hea, Dublin, 1894