San Fernando (Francisco de Zurbaran)

San Fernando

Francisco de Zurbaran

Saint Ferdinand painted by Francisco de Zurbaran

Saint Ferdinand is a painting by the Spanish Baroque artist Francisco de Zurbaran. In this work, the secular saint Ferdinand III of Castile, who was king of Castile and León in the 13th century, is depicted. The painting shows Saint Ferdinand with a crown, scepter, and armor, surrounded by religious symbols such as a cross and a book.

The composition of the work is very austere and focused on the figure of the saint, highlighting his serene attitude and fixed gaze forward. The colors used by Zurbaran are sober, with predominance of dark and earthy tones, which brings solemnity and elegance to the portrait.

The work Saint Ferdinand is a clear example of Zurbaran’s characteristic style, which focused on the representation of religious figures with detailed realism and contrasted lighting. The precision in the details and the expressiveness of the faces are elements that stand out in this painting.

When was the Saint Ferdinand painting created?

The painting Saint Ferdinand by Francisco de Zurbaran was painted in the 17th century, specifically in the year 1638.

Artistic style of Saint Ferdinand

The painting Saint Ferdinand by Zurbaran follows the Baroque artistic style, characterized by detailed representation, the use of light and shadow to highlight figures, and the expression of emotions through the gestures and gazes of the depicted characters. In this work, the influence of the Spanish school can be appreciated, with a marked tendency towards realism and religious devotion.

History of the Saint Ferdinand painting

The work Saint Ferdinand by Zurbaran was commissioned by the San Francisco convent in Lima, Peru, to decorate its church. It is known that Zurbaran painted this work during his mature stage, when he was already renowned as one of the great Spanish painters of the 17th century. The painting became one of the most outstanding pieces of the convent and had a great influence on devotion to the saint in the region.

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