17th century Flemish school

Flemish school of the 17th century.
"Saint Augustine".
Oil on copper.
Measurements: 22 x 16 cm; 27 x 22 cm (frame).
The painter offers us the figure of St. Augustine of Hippo, dressed as a bishop. The figure of the saint stands, standing, in a solemn and static attitude, dominating the pictorial space. The author has represented the moment in which the Holy Spirit approaches or inspires St. Augustine. The background presents an open landscape, which not only gives depth to the scene, but also places the saint in a natural context that evokes his evangelizing mission.
St. Augustine of Hippo (Tagaste, 254, Hippo Reggius, 430) was a doctor of the Catholic Church, known, among other things, for his writings, and for a legend: it is said that the saint was walking along the seashore, thinking about the Trinity; he came across a beautiful child, playing. When the saint asks the little boy, he answers that he was taking water from the sea to put it in the hole, something to which Augustine answers that it is impossible. The child replies that it is more difficult for him to understand the Mystery of the Holy Trinity, revealing himself with this phrase as Jesus.