Artwork
The Miracles of Saint James the Greater
The Miracles of Saint James the Greater is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Nöel-Nicolas Coypel. It dates from 1726 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The depiction of miraculous healings underscores his role as a protector and wonder-worker, reinforcing themes of divine favor and communal hope.
The painting depicts Saint James the Greater performing miracles, including healing the sick and raising the dead, as recounted in the traditional legend of his apostolic mission in Spain. The work emphasizes his divine authority and the intervention of the sacred through his gestures and the presence of celestial light, symbolizing spiritual guidance and the triumph of faith over adversity. These narrative elements reflect the broader Counter-Reformation emphasis on saintly intercession and the glorification of holy figures within European devotional art.
The iconography aligns with established conventions for Saint James, often identified by his pilgrim's staff, scallop shell, and the sword associated with his martyrdom. The depiction of miraculous healings underscores his role as a protector and wonder-worker, reinforcing themes of divine favor and communal hope. Such symbolism was central to 18th-century religious art, aiming to inspire piety and devotion among viewers.
The painting's composition and narrative focus reflect the artistic and theological context of its creation in France circa 1726, a period marked by elaborate religious storytelling in visual culture.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas in 1726, the work measures 102.0 cm in height and 80.7 cm in width and was produced in France.
The handling reflects the fluid, decorative style of the early eighteenth century, with softly blended modeling and luminous color harmonies typical of Coypel’s manner. Figures are arranged in shallow, stage-like spaces, their gestures and drapery rendered with a light, silvery touch that emphasizes narrative clarity over dramatic illusionism. The composition balances crowded episodes across a continuous pictorial field, using repoussoir devices to guide the viewer’s eye through successive чудеса (miracles) without sacrificing overall legibility.
History & Provenance
The Miracles of Saint James the Greater is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio. The institution assigns the work the accession number 1929.96. Created in 1726 by Noël-Nicolas Coypel, the oil on canvas painting measures 102.0 cm in height and 80.7 cm in width.
The provided sources confirm its location and inventory details but do not list specific past exhibitions or loan history for this artwork.
Overview
The Miracles of Saint James the Greater is an oil on canvas executed in 1726 by French painter Nöel‑Nicolas Coypel. The work belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as an example of early‑18th‑century religious narrative painting.
Context
The work belongs to a period when French artists frequently illustrated the lives of saints for ecclesiastical patrons. Coypel, part of a family of painters, drew on the dramatic visual language of the Baroque, integrating theatrical gestures and dynamic lighting to convey spiritual awe, a practice common in post‑Rococo religious art.
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Artist & collection
Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples
Christ Curing a Possessed Man
Christ Washing the Feet of His Disciples
Death of Meleager
Última comunión de san Jerónimo o El viático de san Jerónimo
Christ Before Pilate
Joosefin verinen viitta
St Paul Healing the Cripple at Lystra
Nymphe Liriope bringt ihren Sohn Narcissus zu Tiresias
Christus heilt den Gichtbrüchigen
Susannah accused of adultery- The Miracles of Saint James the Greater