Spanish school; second half of the 17th century.
"Saint Domingo de Guzmán".
Oil on canvas.
The original canvas is preserved.
Frame from the second half of the 19th century, with damages.
Measurements: 101 x 145 cm; 103 x 147 cm (frame).
In an idealized landscape that combines the cold tonalities, of the lagoon and the sky, with earthy and warm colours, of the buildings and the vegetation, we find the figure of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Placed in the centre of the scene, the small figure is somewhat relegated by an idealised and harmonious landscape. However, it is his dominant position in the scene and the black and white of his tunic that make him stand out in the image as the undisputed protagonist. Crowned with a nimbus of sanctity, one of his hands bears the legend Timete Deum (Fear God).
Saint Dominic de Guzmán, born in Castile in 1170, was the founder of the Order of Preachers, better known as Dominicans. During his childhood he received a careful moral and cultural education, eventually awakening his vocation to the ecclesiastical state. After studying humanities, theology and philosophy in Palencia, where he was also a teacher, he was ordained a priest, and was finally appointed ambassador extraordinary by King Alfonso VIII of Castile. After obtaining authorisation to found his order in 1216, he devoted his last years to its organisation and to several missionary journeys to France and Italy. Legend, however, has added much to his biography. Numerous miracles were also attributed to the saint during his preaching, notably the resurrection of a young man who died from a fall from a horse and the rescue of pilgrims who were about to drown while trying to cross the Garonne on their way to Santiago de Compostela. It also has an extensive iconography related to all these episodes, including symbols such as the dog with the torch, the white lilac, the star, the cross, the standard, the holy rosary, the book, the church and the three mitres. One of the most outstanding episodes of his legend is the apparition to the saint of the Virgin of the Rosary. The tradition, which began in the 15th century, tells that the mother of God herself taught Saint Dominic to pray the rosary in 1208, telling him to propagate this devotion and to use it as a powerful weapon against the enemies of the faith. Appearing in the chapel where the saint was praying, holding a rosary in his hand, he taught him to recite it, promising that many sinners would be converted and obtain abundant graces. St. Dominic went out of there full of zeal, with the rosary in his hand. He did indeed preach it, and with great success, bringing many Albigensians back to the Catholic faith.