Artist and Period

The painting was executed by Diego Velázquez shortly before he left Seville in 1623 to become the court painter to King Philip IV of Spain

Medium and Dimensions

The painting is done in oil on canvas and measures 99.5 cm × 80 cm (39.2 in × 31 in)

Location

It is currently housed at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain

Description

In the painting, Saint Paul is depicted seated, wearing a tunic and covered with a thick, brown robe. He has dark hair with a hint of grey, a grey beard, and a face with deep wrinkles. A halo around his head signifies his sainthood. He holds a book, which symbolizes his role as an apostle and a spreader of Christianity. An inscription in the upper-left corner, "S. PAVLVS," clearly identifies the figure as Saint Paul.

Style and Influence

The painting reflects Velázquez's early influence by Caravaggio, particularly in its use of dramatic lighting and earth-tone colors, characteristic of Tenebrism. The natural and authentic representation of the figure, captured directly from nature, showcases Velázquez's mastery of portraiture.

Deviation from Traditional Representation

Unlike traditional depictions of Saint Paul, which often include a sword symbolizing his martyrdom, Velázquez's version shows him with a book, emphasizing his intellectual and philosophical aspects.

Historical Context

The painting is believed to have originally been housed at the Carthusian monastery of Las Cuevas in Seville and may have been part of a series of portraits of the twelve apostles that Velázquez painted while in Seville. However, the rest of the series is now lost.

Artistic Significance

Saint Paul is considered a key work for understanding the influence of Caravaggio's pictorial realism in Spain during Velázquez's early career.