José Antolínez
, Spanish, 1635-1676
Title
The Liberation of Saint PeterDateearly 1670s
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions
167 x 128 cm
Signedupper left: Josef/Antolinez
Credit LinePurchased, 1859
Object numberNGI.31
DescriptionAntolínez was a pupil of Francisco Rizi and worked mainly in Madrid. A prolific artist, he is best known for his many theatrical versions of the Immaculate Conception. In his relatively short life, however, he proved that he was able to treat any subject in a very personal style, which combined Venetian colouring with a fluid and vigorous Flemish-baroque technique.The story portrayed here is recounted in the Acts of the Apostles (12: 6-8). King Herod Agrippa arrested St Peter in Jerusalem for his preaching. In prison the saint was bound with two heavy chains and guarded by soldiers, but during the night an angel came and set him free. Antolínez chose to represent the moment when the angel woke Peter and the chains fell from his hands.
The variety of colours normally used by Antolínez, as seen in this picture, make him one of the most original artists of his time.
(National Gallery of Ireland: Essential Guide, 2008)
ProvenancePossibly from the Hospital de los Italianos, Madrid; auction, Dublin, 1838, George Watkins sale; Thomas Walker, Dublin; purchased, Thomas Walker, Dublin, 1859 Exhibition HistoryIrish Institution, Dublin, 1860
From Titian to Delacroix: Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Ireland, Yokohama Sogo Museum of Art, Yokohama, 25 August - 17 October 1993; Chiba Sogo Museum of Art, Chiba, 10 November - 20 December 1993; Prefectural Museum of Art, Yamaguchi, 5 January - 20 February 1994; Kobe City Museum, Kobe, 25 February - 10 April 1994; Isetan Museum of Art, Tokyo, 14 April - 24 May 1994
European Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Ireland, National Gallery, Canberra, 25 June - 3 October 1994; Art Gallery of New South Wales, Adelaide, 21 October 1994 - 15 January 1995