Artwork
The Apotheosis of St. Thomas of Aquino
The Apotheosis of St. Thomas of Aquino is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Francisco de Zurbarán. It dates from 1631 and is held in the collection of the Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla. The Apotheosis of St.
About this work
Overview
The Apotheosis of St. Thomas Aquino is a large oil painting created by Francisco de Zurbarán in 1631. It is one of the artist's most expansive compositions and originally served as an altarpiece.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts St. Thomas Aquinas being received into heaven, where Christ, the Virgin, and other revered figures are seated. The scene is populated by various Doctors of the Church and notable individuals, both spiritual and temporal.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by its use of oil paint to render a complex, multi-figured composition across different registers. The artist has arranged the figures in a hierarchical manner, with the divine scene above and earthly figures below.
History & Provenance
Originally painted for the Dominican College of Seville, the painting is now housed in the Museum of Fine Arts of Seville. It features several identifiable figures, including Diego Deza, the college's founder, and Emperor Charles V.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco de Zurbarán was a Spanish Baroque painter. He is known primarily for his religious paintings depicting monks, nuns, and martyrs, and for his still-lifes. Zurbarán gained the nickname "Spanish Caravaggio",…
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