Artwork
Sant Jaume el major bateja el mag Hermògenes
Sant Jaume el major bateja el mag Hermògenes is a tempera painting by the Gothic painting artist Martín Bernat. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1490 by the Aragonese painter Martín Bernat, this tempera panel presents a biblical episode in which Saint James the Greater baptizes the sorcerer Hermogenes. The composition is set within an interior resembling a church, its vaulted ceiling adorned with red and gold motifs, and a central figure in a green robe surrounded by kneeling and standing witnesses.
Subject & Meaning
The narrative illustrates the conversion of Hermogenes, a figure traditionally associated with magic, through the sacrament administered by Saint James. By placing the saint in the act of baptism, the work underscores themes of spiritual transformation and the triumph of Christian faith over pagan practices, reflecting the didactic aims of late‑medieval devotional art.
Technique & Style
Executed in tempera, the painting displays the fine, matte surface characteristic of the medium, allowing for precise detailing and a luminous color range. Bernat employs Gothic stylistic conventions, elongated figures, intricate drapery, and a decorative architectural setting, while his handling of light and texture adds a subtle three‑dimensionality to the scene.
History & Provenance
The panel is currently part of the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. Bernat, active in Zaragoza from the mid‑15th to early‑16th century, produced this work during a prolific period that included extensive collaboration with the renowned painter Bartolomé Bermejo, suggesting a shared workshop environment.
Context
In the late Gothic period of Aragon, religious paintings often served both liturgical and instructional functions within churches and private chapels. The depiction of a saint performing a baptism aligns with contemporary emphasis on sacramental rites, while the inclusion of a magician reflects ongoing concerns about heresy and the conversion of non‑Christian figures.
Artist & collection
Artist
Martín Bernat (fl. 1450 -1505) was a Spanish Gothic style painter, active in Zaragoza, where he had a long collaboration with Bartolomé Bermejo. His dates of birth and death are not known.
