Artwork
Saint Andrew refusing to worship the Idol
Saint Andrew refusing to worship the Idol is an unspecified painting by the Gothic painting artist Lluís Borrassà. It dates from 1400 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work portrays the apostle Andrew in the moment he declines to venerate a pagan idol, a narrative that underscores his unwavering commitment to Christianity.
The work portrays the apostle Andrew in the moment he declines to venerate a pagan idol, a narrative that underscores his unwavering commitment to Christianity. His gesture of refusal is rendered with a raised hand, a traditional attribute that signals both defiance and spiritual authority, while the surrounding idol and attendant figures emphasize the triumph of faith over false worship. The composition thus conveys themes of martyrdom and steadfast devotion, reflecting the broader Counter-Reformation emphasis on personal witness and sacrificial fidelity.
History & Provenance
The painting Saint Andrew refusing to worship the Idol was created in 1400 by Lluís Borrassà. It measures 128.2 centimeters in height and 84.3 centimeters in width. The work is part of the collection at the Museo del Prado in Madrid.
The painting is part of the Museo del Prado collection in Madrid and is catalogued under the accession number P00968. It has been displayed in the museum's permanent collection exhibitions, including the 2005 exhibition 'Masterpieces of the Prado' that highlighted early 15th-century Spanish religious works.
Overview
This painting, created around 1400 by Lluís Borrassà, depicts a scene from the life of Saint Andrew. It is a representative work of the International Gothic style, showcasing the artist's skill in integrating refined Gothic influences into his compositions.
Technique & Style
The painting features bright, though faded, colors with prominent reds, greens, and golds. The setting includes fancy stone arches and gold accents, characteristic of the International Gothic style's emphasis on elegance and refinement.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Lluís Borrassà (c.1360, Girona? - c.1426, Barcelona?) was a Catalan painter. He was employed by the Crown of Aragon and is widely considered to have introduced the International Gothic painting style into the Principality of Catalonia.
Saint Apollonia Destroys a Pagan Idol
Augustine sacrificing to an idol of the Manichaeans (?)
Christ Presented to the People
Martyrium der hll. Cantius, Cantianus und Cantianilla (Innenseite); Auferstehung Christi (Außenseite)
Augustinus offert aan een afgod der Manicheeërs (?)
Christ Presented to the People
Ecce Homo
Diptych with the Passion of Christ (right wing): Crowning with Thorns and Agony on the Garden- Martyrdom of Saint Andrew