Artwork
Six Apostles
Six Apostles is a tempera painting. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Created around 1500 by an anonymous Spanish painter from Oña, this tempera-on-panel work functions as a religious narrative depicting six specific biblical figures. The composition explicitly portrays John the Evangelist, Saint Peter, Andrew the Apostle, Bartholomew the Apostle, and Paul the Apostle, alongside a generic apostle figure. As a piece of religious art, the subject matter focuses on the veneration of these key disciples of Christ, presenting them as a collective group rather than isolated individuals.
The inclusion of Paul, who was not one of the original Twelve but is often grouped with them in Christian tradition, alongside the named apostles, underscores the painting's devotional purpose. The work serves as a visual representation of the foundational witnesses to the Christian faith, intended for spiritual contemplation within a religious context.
Technique & Style
Created circa 1500 by an anonymous Spanish artist associated with Oña, this work is executed in tempera on a wooden panel.
Created circa 1500 by an anonymous Spanish artist associated with Oña, this work is executed in tempera on a wooden panel. The painting measures approximately 89.2 cm in height and 236.2 cm in width, forming a long horizontal format suitable for displaying multiple figures. Stylistically, the piece functions as religious art, depicting six specific apostolic figures: Saints Peter, Andrew, Bartholomew, Paul, John the Evangelist, and an additional apostle.
The use of tempera on panel was a standard medium for Spanish religious painting of this period, allowing for the detailed rendering of the sacred subjects within a unified compositional space. The work is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1500, this tempera-on-panel work is attributed to an anonymous painter from Oña, Spain. The piece, depicting six apostles including Saints Peter, Paul, Andrew, Bartholomew, and John the Evangelist, measures approximately 89.2 by 236.2 centimeters. While specific details regarding its original commission or early ownership history are not provided in the available records, the painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains on display as a significant example of Spanish religious art from the turn of the sixteenth century.
Context
Six Apostles is a tempera painting on panel dated to 1500, attributed to an anonymous Spanish artist from Oña and housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Classified as religious art, the work depicts several apostles including John the Evangelist, Peter, Andrew, Bartholomew, and Paul. Its creation places it within the early sixteenth‑century Spanish devotional tradition, reflecting the period’s emphasis on collective apostolic imagery.
Scholarship on the piece remains limited, but its inclusion in major Spanish religious art surveys underscores its significance as an example of anonymous workshop production. The painting’s provenance in a prominent museum collection highlights its recognized artistic and historical value.
Overview
This painting, titled Six Apostles, depicts six male figures presented within distinct, ornate frames. Rendered in tempera, the work features each figure adorned with a halo and holding a specific attribute, such as a book, scroll, or sword. The composition emphasizes individual presence, with each apostle seemingly occupying their own designated space, contributing to a formal and reverent presentation.
Artist & collection
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