Spanish school; 18th century.

Spanish School; XVIII century.
"Saint Bartholomew".
Oil on canvas.
It has frame following models of the seventeenth century.
Measurements: 84 x 63 cm; 100 x 78 cm (frame).
In the Spain of the XVIII century, deeply marked by the catholic tradition and the legacy of the Counter-Reformation, figures like Saint Bartholomew had a great symbolic force. Moreover, his clear iconography made him easily recognizable, something essential in a painting with a didactic and spiritual function. In a context where art was supposed to teach and move, Saint Bartholomew offered a powerful combination of drama, moral example and visual force, very much in keeping with the religious sensibility inherited from the Baroque.
St. Bartholomew was one of the apostles closest to Jesus, also identified with Nathanael in the Gospel of John. After the resurrection, he was part of the small group of disciples who witnessed his apparitions and, according to tradition, he took Christian preaching to distant places such as India and Armenia. There, his evangelistic work had a great impact, to the point of converting members of royalty. However, that very success led to his condemnation. According to tradition, King Astiages ordered his execution after the saint refused to worship pagan idols. His martyrdom was particularly cruel: Bartholomew was flayed alive, an episode that deeply marked his iconography. For this reason, he is often depicted in art with a knife, or even holding his own skin, in a striking image that underlines his firmness in the faith. He is also depicted, to a lesser extent, performing miracles.