Spanish or Italian school; 18th century.

Spanish or Italian school; 18th century.
"Allegory of the Holy Spirit inspiring St. Jerome, St. Paul, St. John, St. Matthew and St. Luke",
Oil on canvas. Relined from the 18th century.
Measurements: 140 x 53 cm.
The work, made by an anonymous author of the Spanish school of the eighteenth century, represents an allegory of the Holy Spirit inspiring St. Jerome, St. Paul, St. John, St. Matthew and St. Luke. The composition, in landscape format, responds to a balanced approach between the celestial world and the earthly plane, articulated through a strong theological symbolism and a clear and effective narrative layout, typical of the religious art of the late Baroque period.
On the far right of the scene, the figure of the dove of the Holy Spirit, the traditional symbol of the Trinity, radiates rays of golden light that expand towards the rest of the composition, symbolically illuminating the holy writers of the New Testament. This light not only fulfills a compositional function, but also reinforces the doctrinal message of divine inspiration as the origin of the Holy Scriptures.
On the earthly plane, the four evangelists appear seated, only two of them being represented with their traditional attributes: the bull for St. Luke and the angel for St. Matthew. The set ends with St. Jerome, the latter identified as the translator of the Bible and a key figure in the transmission of the sacred text. His postures, gestures and gazes show recollection, reflection and revelation, capturing the moment in which they receive the divine influence.
In the background, on the left, we can see the figure of Christ dressed in a red tunic, emblem of his sacrifice, which reinforces the direct connection between the figure of the Savior and the texts that bear witness to his life and message. The inclusion of Jesus in this elevated or secondary zone within the scene reinforces the relationship between the incarnate Word and the written Word, which the evangelists and Church Fathers are responsible for preserving.
The colors are warm and sober, with a palette dominated by ochers, reds and golds, typical of the eighteenth-century Spanish repertoire, while the chiaroscuro and composition reveal the persistent influence of the baroque.