91 - A follower of BARTOLOMÉ ESTEBAN MURILLO (Seville, 1617 – Cádiz, 1682): 20th century.

A follower of BARTOLOMÉ ESTEBAN MURILLO (Seville, 1617 – Cádiz, 1682): 20th century. “Saint Anthony of Padua.” Oil on canvas. Measurements: 84 x 63 cm; 93 x 73 cm (frame). Depiction of Saint Anthony of Padua, one of the most venerated figures in the Franciscan tradition and one of the saints most frequently depicted in Spanish religious painting. The composition draws inspiration from the iconographic models popularized by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, whose gentle, approachable, and deeply devotional interpretation of sacred themes enjoyed extraordinary popularity between the 17th and 20th centuries. Saint Anthony appears as the central figure in an image designed to inspire contemplation and devotion. His iconography, traditionally associated with the Franciscan habit and the Infant Jesus, reflects one of the most popular depictions of the saint in Catholic painting. Murillo developed a pictorial language of particular sensitivity for depicting religious subjects, characterized by the gentleness of the expressions, the delicacy of the skin tones, the softness of the light transitions, and a humanized conception of the divine. His unique way of depicting saints, endowing them with a warm and approachable presence, helped make his compositions models of reference for subsequent generations of painters. The popularity of his images led to the production of numerous versions, interpretations, and recreations of his models, both in the devotional sphere and in private collections.