On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01237
- Author
- Zurbarán, Francisco de (Spanish)
- Title
- The Apostle Saint Peter appearing to Saint Peter Nolasco
- Chronology
- 1629
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 179 cm x 223 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal collection
The Apostle Saint Peter appears to
Saint Peter Nolasco to console him
for not being able to travel to
Rome and visit his tomb, and to
council him to continue his
apostolic work in Spain. This is
one of the most important episodes
in the life of the founder of the
Order of la Merced Calzada, for
whose convent in Seville Zurbarán
painted a broad series of canvases,
including Saint Peter Nolasco's
Vision (P1236).
Born in France, this saint fled the
heretics of Albi, moving to Spain,
where he defended Christians held
prisoner by the Muslims that
occupied the Peninsula. He founded
the Order of la Merced, and
personally paid for the freedom of
slaves.
These works are from the painter's
first period. They reveal the ease
with which he made straightforward
compositions focusing on a study of
the characters' expressions, the
reproduction of the textures of the
textiles, and the play of an
infinite range of whites and greys.
The present work is signed and
dated in the middle of the lower
area beside the saint's
habit.
In 1821, Dean López Cepero ceded
this work to King Fernando VII
(1784-1833), who sent it to the
Prado Museum.
Location on the map
