Spanish school of the XVIII century.

Spanish school of the XVIII century.
"Saint Agnes".
Oil on canvas.
In good state of preservation. It has patches on the back.
Measurements: 86 x 68 cm, 112 x 82 cm (frame).

The work represents Saint Agnes, identifiable by her traditional iconographic attributes: the palm of martyrdom that she holds in her hand and the lamb that appears at her feet, symbol of purity as well as of her own name. The saint is presented half-length, with her hand resting on her chest in an attitude of recollection and serenity, while she looks at the viewer. The crown of flowers and the barely insinuated halo reinforce her virginal character and her condition of martyr.

The composition is sober and balanced, centered on the female figure, which is cut out against a dark and neutral background. This compositional approach, heir to the baroque tradition, allows the attention to be concentrated on the face and symbolic attributes, giving the image a clear devotional function. The idealized treatment of the features and the expressive calm of the gesture contribute to transmit a sensation of sweetness and contained spirituality.

From the stylistic point of view, the work is part of the Spanish religious painting of the eighteenth century, characterized by the survival of baroque models softened by a more gentle and classicist sensibility. The brushstroke is careful and relatively smooth, with a harmonious use of color, dominated by earthy tones, whites and soft pink shades on the face. This type of representation of martyr saints was very frequent in the devotional and conventual sphere of the 18th century, where the aim was to offer models of feminine virtue that were accessible and close to the faithful, in accordance with the religious and aesthetic values of the time.