1640 (ca.), Francisco de Zurbarán, Saint Diego of Alcalá -- National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
From the museum label: Frequently depicted in Spanish painting, Saint Diego of Alcalá was a fifteenth-century saint from Andalucia who was renowned for his piety and works of charity. Zurbarán represented him embracing a large cross while looking upwards in ecstasy. The light-and-dark contrast affords the saint remarkable presence. The reflections on his face are reminiscent of a polychromed wood sculpture. Zurbarán, one of the greatest painters of seventeenth-century Seville, painted this work for the Franciscan order. He completed more paintings for this than for any other religious order over the course of his career.
1640 (ca.), Francisco de Zurbarán, Saint Diego of Alcalá -- National Gallery of Ireland (Dublin)
From the museum label: Frequently depicted in Spanish painting, Saint Diego of Alcalá was a fifteenth-century saint from Andalucia who was renowned for his piety and works of charity. Zurbarán represented him embracing a large cross while looking upwards in ecstasy. The light-and-dark contrast affords the saint remarkable presence. The reflections on his face are reminiscent of a polychromed wood sculpture. Zurbarán, one of the greatest painters of seventeenth-century Seville, painted this work for the Franciscan order. He completed more paintings for this than for any other religious order over the course of his career.