Artwork
Saint Margaret
Saint Margaret is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Juan Rexach. It dates from 1456 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1456, *Saint Margaret* is a tempera painting by the Valencian artist Juan Rexach. Executed during the early Renaissance, the work depicts a standing female figure confronting a dragon, a motif drawn from hagiographic legend. It is part of the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya and exemplifies the religious genre prevalent in 15th‑century Spanish art.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is identified as Saint Margaret, recognizable by her braided blonde hair, a red cross‑tipped staff, and the sumptuous dark robe over a red‑gold patterned dress. At her feet lies a green dragon with an open mouth, its teeth bared and blood dripping, symbolising the evil she has vanquished according to the saint’s martyr narrative.
Technique & Style
Rexach employs a large‑format composition with monumental treatment of the figure, a hallmark of his style. The palette contrasts deep, saturated reds and golds against the verdant hue of the dragon, heightening the dramatic tension. Precise brushwork in the drapery and the creature’s scales reflects the artist’s training under Jacomart and his skill in miniature detail.
History & Provenance
Juan Rexach, active between 1431 and 1482, succeeded his master Jacomart and completed several altarpieces left unfinished by him. *Saint Margaret* entered the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya’s holdings in the 20th century, though its earlier ownership record is limited, reflecting the challenges of attributing works from collaborative workshop practices of the period.
Context
The painting belongs to the early Renaissance movement in Valencia, where artists began integrating naturalistic figures with traditional iconography. Rexach’s emphasis on monumental saints aligns with the city’s demand for devotional images that reinforced Catholic piety during the mid‑15th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Juan Rexach, (fl. 1431-1482) was a Spanish painter and miniaturist. His date of birth is not known. Most of his life is scarcely documented. He studied with Jacomart, in whose studio he worked, and after a period of…
