Andalusian School; 18th century. "Saint Vincent... Lot 18

Andalusian School; 18th century. "Saint Vincent Ferrer". Oil on canvas. Presents restorations. It conserves its original frame. Measurements: 94 x 76 cm; 107 x 89,5 cm (frame). Devotional scene that presents the image of a religious, specifically a Dominican, placed in the centre of a landscape made up of ochre tones and leaden atmosphere. The saint shows his arms open, holding in his right hand the crucifix with the body of the recumbent Christ. His facial expression with his mouth half-open manages to portray a gesture of doubt that lends a certain psychology to the figure, who by his iconographic attributes can be identified as Saint Vincent Ferrer. Saint Vincent Ferrer was a Spanish Dominican of the late 14th and early 15th centuries, a thaumaturge, preacher, logician and philosopher. He preached in Spain and in various cities in Europe, especially in Italy, following the famous vision he had in the city of Avignon in 1398. He was followed by crowds of people and performed numerous miracles. His active and decisive participation in the Compromise of Caspe, where Ferdinand of Antequera was elected King of Aragon, was very important. Furthermore, it is said that all those who listened to him understood him, whether they were Castilians, French, Basques, Italians from Piedmont and Lombardy, etc., despite the fact that he always preached "in his Valencian language". It is precisely this gift of languages that is alluded to by the flame that is usually depicted above his head. Called the Dominican thaumaturge saint, Saint Vincent Ferrer enjoys a very widespread cult, which led to a wide development of his iconography, which is very diverse. He is traditionally depicted in the habit of the Dominican order, with the tonsure, one arm raised pointing to heaven and a parchment on which is written "Timete Deum et date Illia honorem quia venit hora iudicius eius" ("Fear God and give him glory, for it is already the hour of his judgement", AP. 14, 7). He can also appear with a flame on his head, wings on his back, an angel blowing a trumpet, a book and a lily.