561 - Severed Head of Saint Paul. Seville School of Llanos Valdés. 17th century

Severed Head of Saint Paul. Seville School of Llanos Valdés. 17th century Oil on canvas. Dimensions: 53 x 77 cm. Against a dark, tenebrist background, the head of Saint Paul lies on the ground next to a sword, a symbol of his martyrdom. His face, lit from the side, maintains a serene and resigned expression, framed by a white beard with expressive lines. The sword, with its hilt visible and its blade partially hidden in the darkness, accentuates the narrative character of the scene. The landscape in the background, barely hinted at, suggests a moment after the beheading. This work belongs to the Seville School of the second half of the 17th century, influenced by Baroque naturalism and a style characterized by strong emotional impact. The chiaroscuro, compositional economy, and direct expressiveness reinforce the martyrial and devotional dimension of the painting. It is a powerful image, designed to move the viewer and invite reflection on the apostle’s sacrifice. Due to its age and history of use, this lot may show signs of wear and previous interventions. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, no specialized technical testing has been performed. The absence of any mention of restorations does not guarantee that none exist. You may request additional information before placing a bid. This does not affect the buyer’s statutory rights.