Artwork
Saint James
Saint James is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1410 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting titled "Saint James" portrays a male figure identified as the saint, situating the work within a religious framework.
The painting titled "Saint James" portrays a male figure identified as the saint, situating the work within a religious framework. As a religious artwork produced by the Workshop of Santiago de Compostela in 1410, it presents the saint in a conventional manner associated with Christian iconography, though specific symbolic attributes are not detailed in the source records. The piece is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection, emphasizing its significance as a devotional image from the early 15th‑century Spanish artistic tradition.
History & Provenance
Saint James is a religious painting produced around 1410 by the Workshop of Santiago de Compostela. The work’s creation history points to a workshop context in Santiago de Compostela, with the date of inception given as 1410. Its provenance prior to entering the Metropolitan Museum of Art is not documented in the available sources; the painting is presently held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it is catalogued as part of the institution’s collection. No further details regarding commission, subsequent ownership, or exhibition history are provided in the sources.
The painting titled Saint James, dated to 1410, is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection and is displayed there. It was created by the Workshop of Santiago de Compostela, a Spanish artistic group active in the early 15th century. The work is classified as a religious painting and depicts a male figure.
Its provenance is recorded within the museum's catalog, noting its inclusion among the institution's holdings of European religious artworks. No specific accession number or exhibition record is provided in the available documentation.
Overview
This carved wooden figure depicts Saint James, characterized by his staff and a book or scroll. The sculpture presents a tall, somber form, rendered in a dark, almost black finish. Its simple, unadorned presence suggests it was intended for personal contemplation rather than dramatic display. The figure's calm expression and deeply incised features contribute to its solemn character.
Technique & Style
The carving exhibits a stiff, planar quality, with sharply defined folds in the drapery rather than subtle gradations. Deeply cut lines delineate the eyes and mouth, contributing to the figure's serene yet stark countenance. The absence of significant shading or depth creates a flat surface, distinguishing it from later artistic approaches that would employ dramatic light and shadow to create volume and movement.
Artist & collection
