1633
oil
canvas
From the collection of National Museum of Ancient Art
Dominant colour
James the Great is a 1633 oil by Francisco de Zurbarán, a Spanish Baroque Tenebrist work, depicting St. James the Elder, held at National Museum of Ancient Art.
The painting depicts a man with a staff and a shell on his shoulder. He is dressed in a long robe and has a bare foot. The background is dark, and the man is illuminated from the side. The man's facial expression is serious, and he appears to be looking upwards. The staff he holds is tall and slender, and the shell on his shoulder is white. The robe he wears is long and dark, and it falls to his ankles. The painting's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume, drawing the viewer's eye to the man's face and staff. To learn more about the artist's use of chiaroscuro, look up the technique.
Francisco de Zurbarán was a Spanish Baroque painter. He is known primarily for his religious paintings depicting monks, nuns, and martyrs, and for his still-lifes. Zurbarán gained the nickname "Spanish Caravaggio",…
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
