Francisco de Zurbarán
, Spanish, 1598-1664
Title
Saint Diego of AlcaláDatec.1640
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
89 x 65 cm
Credit LinePurchased, 1864
Object numberNGI.479
Label TextFrequently depicted in Spanish painting, Saint Diego of Alcalá was a fifteenth-century saint from Andalucia who was renowned for his piety and works of charity. Zurbarán represented him embracing a large cross while looking upwards in ecstasy. The light-and-dark contrast affords the saint remarkable presence. The reflections on his face are reminiscent of a polychromed wood sculpture. Zurbarán, one of the greatest painters of seventeenth-century Seville, painted this work for the Franciscan order. He completed more paintings for this than for any other religious order over the course of his career.