Saint Thomas of Villanueva Giving Alms to the Poor
1665
oil
From the collection of Norton Simon Museum
1665
oil
From the collection of Norton Simon Museum
The painting depicts a scene of Saint Thomas of Villanueva giving alms to the poor. He is dressed in a black robe with a white hat and orange cape, and is surrounded by a group of people, including men, women, and children. The saint is holding a small bag of coins and appears to be handing them out to the people around him. In the background, there is a large stone building with a pointed roof, and a bright light shines down on the scene. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of warmth and generosity. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and dimensionality in the painting. Next, look up chiaroscuro.
