1675
oil
canvas
From the collection of National Museum of Ancient Art
Paul of Thebes is a 1675 oil by Mattia Preti, a Early Baroque Italian work, depicting St. James the Elder, held at National Museum of Ancient Art.
In the painting, a man sits on a woven mat, surrounded by a skull, a book, and a rosary. He wears a white cloth wrapped around his waist and holds a rosary in his right hand. The man's left hand rests on his knee, and he gazes upwards, as if in contemplation. The man's surroundings are dimly lit, with a faint light source coming from above, casting a warm glow on his face and body. The overall atmosphere is one of quiet reflection and introspection. This painting, created by Mattia Preti, is a beautiful example of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of depth and volume.
Mattia Preti was an Italian Baroque artist who worked in Italy and Malta. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Saint John.
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