CATALAN SCHOOL, LATE 15TH/EARLY 16TH CENTURY

Portrait of Saint James and Saint Thomas
oil on panel
48 x 110cm

Provenance
With the della Faille de Leverghem family;
thence by descent
Footnote

The iconography of the broad-brimmed hat, staff and book suggest St. James as a pilgrim. While the identification of St. Thomas is suggested by one version of his martyrdom, where he was tortured, and finally killed, by a spear and rejoiced that his death came by the same instrument as that which pierced Christ's side on the Cross.

Condition report

The work is executed over two, horizontal panels; evidence of the division between the two along the paint surface. Scattered areas of abrasion and lifting paint, generally to the background and darker pigments. Ultraviolet reveals suggestion of retouching to St. Thomas’ cloak.