Artwork
Saint Anthony of Padua
Saint Anthony of Padua is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Francisco Herrera the Younger. It dates from 1601 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Technique & Style
Measuring 166 cm in height and 105 cm in width, it depicts Saint Anthony of Padua, a Franciscan saint associated with miracles and teaching.
The painting is executed in oil on canvas, a common support for 17th-century religious works. Measuring 166 cm in height and 105 cm in width, it depicts Saint Anthony of Padua, a Franciscan saint associated with miracles and teaching. Herrera the Younger’s handling emphasizes the saint’s contemplative expression through precise brushwork and chiaroscuro, while the composition follows Counter-Reformation ideals of clarity and emotional resonance.
The work is part of the Museo del Prado’s collection and reflects the stylistic transition from Mannerism to Baroque in Spanish art.
History & Provenance
The painting titled Saint Anthony of Padua was created in 1601 by Francisco Herrera the Younger as an oil on canvas work. It entered the collection of the Museo del Prado and was subsequently housed in the Museo de la Trinidad, both institutions documenting its ownership and display. The artwork's dimensions are 166 cm in height and 105 cm in width, reflecting its original scale.
Its creation is linked to the religious genre, depicting the saint Anthony of Padua, and it was produced during the early 17th century, aligning with Herrera's active period.
The painting Saint Anthony of Padua by Francisco Herrera the Younger is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. It was previously part of the Museo de la Trinidad before its transfer to the Prado. The work depicts the religious subject of Anthony of Padua and is executed in oil on canvas.
While the entity data lists an inception date of 1601, the source also notes a creation period beginning in 1650. No specific inventory or accession numbers are provided in the available records, nor is there information regarding a history of public exhibitions for this specific piece.
Overview
Francisco Herrera the Younger’s oil painting from 1601 portrays Saint Anthony of Padua cradling an infant. The work is part of the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. Rendered in a modest size, the composition centers on the saint’s solemn expression and the tender interaction with the child, set against a muted sky and a dark oval frame.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is identified as Saint Anthony, a 13th‑century Franciscan known for his preaching and miracles. He is shown holding a naked baby, a motif that references the saint’s reputed ability to intercede for children and the miracle of the Christ Child appearing to him. The child’s upward gaze and outstretched arm suggest a spiritual connection or divine revelation.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco Herrera the Younger (born in Seville around 1627, died in Madrid in 1685) was a Spanish painter and architect of the Baroque, the son and pupil of Francisco Herrera the Elder.
