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Paolo Veronese , Italian, 1528-1588

Title

Saints Philip and James the Less

Date1560s

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions

204 x 156 cm

Credit LinePurchased, 1889

Object numberNGI.115

ProvenanceProbably Duke of Buckingham, 1653; Christie's, London, 5 June 1886, Thomas Kibble sale, lot 120; purchased, Christie's, London, 29 June 1889, lot 108Exhibition HistoryCentenary Exhibition, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, October - December 1964
Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Ireland, National Gallery, London, 27 March - 27 May 1985

From Titian to Delacroix, Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Ireland, Yokohama Sogo Museum of Art, 25 August 1993 - 17 October 1993; Chiba Sogo Museum of Art, 10 November 1993 - 20 December 1993; Prefectural Museum of Art, Yamaguchi, 05 January 1994 - 20 February 1994; Kobe City Museum, 25 February 1994 - 10 April 1994; Isetan Museum of Art, 14 April 1994 - 24 May 1994

European Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Ireland, National Gallery, Canberra, 25 June 1994 - 3 October 1994; Art Gallery of New South Wales, 21 October 1994 - 15 January 1995

Label TextIn this asymmetrical composition Veronese depicts Saints James the Less and Philip startled by a group of cherubs in the sky. James is shown seated holding a gospel book. A club, resting on the ground beside him, alludes to his martyrdom; he was clubbed to death. Philip, who was crucified, stands holding a cross. The two saints are often depicted together in paintings and they are believed to be buried together in the church of Santi Apostoli in Rome. Veronese is considered to be one of the three greatest artists working in Venice during the late Renaissance, the others being Titian and Tintoretto.