Artwork
San Agustín repartiendo los bienes de los ricos entre los pobres
San Agustín repartiendo los bienes de los ricos entre los pobres is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist José García Hidalgo. It dates from 1663 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a piece of religious art, the composition symbolizes the Christian virtue of almsgiving and the moral obligation of the wealthy to support the needy.
The painting depicts Augustine of Hippo engaged in the charitable act of distributing the wealth of the rich to the poor, a scene that defines the work's religious subject matter. Created by José García Hidalgo, the artwork illustrates a specific episode of ecclesiastical benevolence associated with the saint. As a piece of religious art, the composition symbolizes the Christian virtue of almsgiving and the moral obligation of the wealthy to support the needy.
The visual narrative centers on Saint Augustine's role as a model of generosity and spiritual leadership within the Catholic tradition.
Technique & Style
Created by José García Hidalgo, the work San Agustín repartiendo los bienes de los ricos entre los pobres is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. The painting measures 212 cm in height and 307 cm in width, establishing a substantial physical presence typical of large-scale religious compositions. While the inception is variously cited as 1663 or 1687, the piece is consistently classified as a religious painting within the artist's oeuvre.
The medium and dimensions reflect the formal conventions of Spanish Baroque religious art, utilizing the durability of canvas and the versatility of oil to depict the narrative of Augustine of Hippo distributing wealth.
History & Provenance
José García Hidalgo executed the oil painting San Agustín repartiendo los bienes de los ricos entre los pobres in 1663. The work, which depicts Augustine of Hippo, was created on canvas and measures 212 cm by 307 cm. While some records indicate an inception date of 1687, the year 1663 is the authoritative date for its creation. The painting eventually entered the collection of the Museo del Prado, where it is currently housed.
The painting is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado. It is catalogued as part of that museum's holdings, with its location recorded at the Prado institution.
No exhibition history or specific accession/inventory number is documented in the available sources.
Overview
Created in 1663 by the Spanish artist José García Hidalgo, known in his era as El Castellano, this oil painting portrays Saint Augustine of Hippo in the act of allocating the possessions of affluent individuals to those in need. Executed in the early Baroque idiom that drew on Italian models, the work now belongs to the collection of Madrid’s Museo del Prado.
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Artist & collection
Artist
José García Hidalgo (1645 or 1646 – 1717 or 1719) was a Spanish painter, who wrote notes of his life, but omitted to state where and when he was born.
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