Spanish school of the first half of the 17th century.

Spanish school of the first half of the 17th century.
"Saint Nicholas of Tolentino."
Carved, polychrome, and gilded wood.
It shows slight signs of wear due to the passage of time.
Provenance: A prominent farmhouse in Teruel.
Measurements: 67 x 33 cm.

The monastic tonsure, clean-shaven face, and sumptuous habit identify Saint Nicholas of Tolentino. The carving features a gilding technique that gives the tunic a textured finish, emulating the gold brocades of liturgical vestments. Other attributes with which this saint is typically depicted include the star in his hand and the book of rules.

The work stands out for its meticulous anatomy, with fine, delicate features that very slightly exceed the proportions of the classical canon. Furthermore, the face—which showcases the artist’s great technical skill—avoids idealization in favor of a more naturalistic rendering that lends authenticity and identity to the figure, a technique common during the Baroque period whose purpose was to bring the lives of saints and martyrs closer to the faithful in an everyday and natural way. The tunic, with its gold-trimmed edges, lends a sense of great sobriety to the figure, which gains dynamism through the folds of the fabric.

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino (Italy, 1245–1305) was a priest, Catholic mystic, and the first saint of the Order of Saint Augustine. He joined the Order of the Augustinian Hermits in 1456, was ordained a priest in 1269, and subsequently devoted his life to the apostolate in Tolentino, spending most of his time caring for the sick and the needy, as well as engaging in meditation and prayer, while leading an ascetic life. He is considered the protector of the souls in Purgatory and an intercessor for justice, motherhood, childhood, and health. In terms of his iconography, this saint is usually depicted with a star shining on his chest, alluding to the legend that the saint would go to the church at night, guided by a star. The star-studded habit is associated with the number of souls in Purgatory whom the saint freed through his fervent supplications and prayers.