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Scene from the Life of St. Andrew
16th century48 3/4 x 30 1/2 in. (123.8 x 77.5 cm)
Spanish artist
Spain
Spanish; probably made in Aragon
Object Type:
Painting
Medium and Support:
Oil on panel
Credit Line:
Gift of Mr. Adolph Stuber
Accession Number:
1955.22
Location: Currently on view
This panel was once part of a large and complex altarpiece dedicated to Saint Andrew, one of Christ’s apostles. It illustrates one important episode in the saint’s life. According to Jacobus de Voragine’s Golden Legend, written around 1288, a devout bishop venerated Saint Andrew above all others saints. He began whatever he was about to do with the prayer, “To the honor of God and Saint Andrew.” This filled the devil with envy, and he turned all his cunning to the task of deceiving the bishop.
In order to accomplish this deceit, the devil took the form of a beautiful woman, who arrived at the bishop’s palace under the guise of seeking refuge from an unwanted marriage. In actuality, her intent was to seduce the bishop into breaking his vow of celibacy. The seduction was interrupted by the arrival of a pilgrim, who was asked three difficult questions. His answer to the last, that the woman could measure the space between heaven and earth because she had fallen the distance, unmasked her as the devil, shown here by her bat-like clawed hands, furred arms, and pointed ears. Later, a dream revealed to the bishop that the identity of the pilgrim was Saint Andrew.
[Gallery label text, June 2013]
In order to accomplish this deceit, the devil took the form of a beautiful woman, who arrived at the bishop’s palace under the guise of seeking refuge from an unwanted marriage. In actuality, her intent was to seduce the bishop into breaking his vow of celibacy. The seduction was interrupted by the arrival of a pilgrim, who was asked three difficult questions. His answer to the last, that the woman could measure the space between heaven and earth because she had fallen the distance, unmasked her as the devil, shown here by her bat-like clawed hands, furred arms, and pointed ears. Later, a dream revealed to the bishop that the identity of the pilgrim was Saint Andrew.
[Gallery label text, June 2013]
Provenance
Don Luis Ruiz, Madrid; his sale, American Art Association, New York, January 24, 1929, lot no. 595; purchased at that sale by Mr. Adolph Stuber; Rochester, NY; his gift to the Gallery in 1955
Keywords
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Additional Images
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Bibliography
This object has the following bibliographic references:
- Article Title: A Gift of Spanish Art. Article Scope: Article and reproduction. Memorial Art Gallery. Gallery Notes. Rochester, New York: Memorial Art Gallery, 1935-1995. Volume Number: 21, Issue Number: 3. Issue Date: January 1956.
- Article Scope: Mention. Marilyn Stokstad. Preliminary Report of Spanish Paintings 1100-1900 in American Public Collections. [Lawrence, KS?]: United States-Spanish Joint Committee for Cultural and Educational Cooperation, 1989.
Portfolio List
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