Who painted Saint Nicholas of Tolentino?

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino was painted by Luis de Carvajal in 1604-01-01.

Where can I see Saint Nicholas of Tolentino?

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Saint Nicholas of Tolentino?

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino?

Museum-quality prints of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino

Luis de Carvajal , 1604

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Luis de Carvajal. It dates from 1604 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, an Augustinian friar venerated within the Catholic tradition for his ascetic life and reputed miracles.

The painting depicts Saint Nicholas of Tolentino, an Augustinian friar venerated within the Catholic tradition for his ascetic life and reputed miracles. According to the cataloguing, the figure is shown with a book and a crucifix, two attributes that anchor his iconographic identity: the book signifies his learning and theological devotion, while the crucifix reflects the centrality of Christ's Passion to Augustinian spirituality and Nicholas's reported mystical experiences, including a vision of the Crucifixion said to have inspired his distinctive star emblem.

Rendered as a religious image, the work functions both as devotional object and as a visual statement of the saint's intercessory role, inviting contemplation of his virtues and the Augustinian order's commitment to contemplation, preaching, and pastoral care.

Technique & Style

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino is executed in oil paint on canvas, a support consistent with early seventeenth-century Spanish devotional practice. The canvas measures 120 cm in height by 84 cm in width and is classified as a religious painting. Its present location is the El Greco Museum, with provenance linked to the Museo del Prado and the Museo de la Trinidad.

The composition is a religious work depicting Saint Nicholas of Tolentino alongside a book and a crucifix, painted in 1604 by Luis de Carvajal.

History & Provenance

The painting Saint Nicholas of Tolentino by Luis de Carvajal, dated 1604, is currently held at the El Greco Museum. While records indicate the work has been associated with the collections of the Museo del Prado and the Museo de la Trinidad, its specific location is identified as the El Greco Museum. The piece is cataloged as an oil-on-canvas religious work measuring 120 cm in height and 84 cm in width. No specific accession number or detailed exhibition history is provided in the available sources.

Overview

Luis de Carvajal’s 1604 oil painting presents Saint Nicholas of Tolentino in a moment of serene devotion. The saint stands before a red drapery and a stone arch, his black habit embroidered with gold stars catching the light. A raised right hand and a contemplative pose convey a quiet, reflective atmosphere.

Context

Carvajal worked during Spain’s Golden Age, a period marked by prolific religious art commissioned for churches and monasteries. Depictions of saints like Nicholas of Tolentino served both devotional and didactic purposes, reinforcing Catholic doctrine amid the era’s theological debates.