Saint Peter of Alcantara confessing Saint Theresa
Second half of the XVII century. Oil on canvas.Not on display
The painting tells the Carmelite story of Saint Teresa confessing with Saint Peter of Alcántara (1499–1562), the ascetic Franciscan, reformer, and creator of the Alcantarines in 1540. He was for some years her confessor and had a strong influence on her.
This painting is very representative of the artist and considered one of his best works. He succeeded in capturing, in a sombre penitential tone, a church interior of the 17th century. The influence of Carreño´s style can only be noticed in the suspended angels. However, the dryness in the use of color and in the execution of forms is typical of the painter’s Valencian origin.
Pérez Sánchez, Alfonso E., Carreño, Rizi, Herrera y la pintura madrileña de su tiempo, Madrid, Ministerio de Cultura. Banco Herrero, 1986, p.313