Saint James and Saint Clare

The painting Saint James and Saint Clare was created by Robert Campin in 1420. Executed in oil paint on a panel support, the work belongs to the Early Netherlandish painting movement and falls within the religious art genre. It depicts St. James the Elder and Clare of Assisi. The artwork is currently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

The work Saint James and Saint Clare by Robert Campin is part of the collection at the Museo del Prado, where it is recorded under the inventory number P00968. It has been displayed in exhibitions focused on Early Netherlandish painting at the museum, highlighting its significance within the genre of religious art.

The painting, executed in oil on panel around 1420, portrays St. James the Elder and Clare of Assisi and remains in the Museo del Prado's holdings.

Its provenance is tied to the museum's collection since its acquisition, and it has been featured in scholarly displays of Early Netherlandish works.

Created around 1420, this oil painting presents two saints standing side by side within a modest interior. The older male figure, identified as Saint James the Elder, holds a staff crowned with a cross, while the female figure, Saint Clare of Assisi, folds her hands in prayer. The composition is framed by a simple wall and columnar backdrop, giving the scene a restrained, contemplative atmosphere.

Campin worked contemporaneously with Jan van Eyck, and together they laid the groundwork for the Northern Renaissance’s oil technique and naturalistic detail. This painting exemplifies the period’s shift from medieval iconography toward individualized, humanized saints, reflecting broader cultural movements toward personal devotion and the visual exploration of interior space.