An artwork on Galleree from The Art Institute of Chicago.
About the artwork
Saint Romanus of Antioch and Saint BarulasFrancisco de Zurbarán (Spanish, 1598–1664)
1638
Spain
246.5 × 185.4 cm (97 1/16 × 73 in.); Framed: 272.4 × 212.1 × 10.2 cm (153 1/2 × 97 × 4 in.)
Oil on canvas
Gift of Mrs. Chauncey McCormick and Mrs. Richard E. Danielson
['17th Century']
['saints', 'clouds', 'sky', 'rocks', 'trees', 'landscape', 'martyrs', 'violence', 'man', 'men', 'children', 'Christianity', 'Christian subjects']
['oil on canvas', 'oil paintings (visual works)', 'paint', 'spanish', 'painting', 'european painting']
['oil paint (paint)', 'canvas', 'paint', 'painting']
['painting', 'oil painting', 'painting (image making)', 'painting techniques']
Francisco de Zurbarán excelled at painting altarpieces that presented saints in an accessible manner, as required by the conventions of the Counter-Reformation, the Catholic Church’s effort to oppose the Protestant Reformation and revitalize Catholicism. Catholic reformers emphasized that religious painting should offer easily recognizable figures and narratives in order to be accessible to a contemporary audience. This canvas, made for the high altar of the church of San Román in Seville, Spain, depicts the church’s dedication to Saint Romanus of Antioch. Romanus towers over Saint Barulas, a child of seven, who was inspired to martyrdom by the elder saint’s words. Romanus, himself martyred in 303 under the emperor Diocletian, holds up his own tongue, torn out by his tormentors, and grasps a massive book inscribed with a prayer invoking his intercession on behalf of the faithful.
| attributed to Art Institute of Chicago under CC-By license
In the hushed sanctuary of a church, the air hangs thick with reverence. Here, in the warm glow of flickering candlelight, Francisco de Zurbarán’s brush dances across a canvas, weaving a story rich with faith and sacrifice. This masterpiece, crafted with meticulous care, was destined for the high altar of San Román in Seville, a sacred space held dear by its faithful congregation.
Zurbarán, an artist deeply attuned to the calls of the Counter-Reformation, understood the yearning of people during a time of spiritual upheaval. The Catholic Church sought to draw its followers closer, to create connections that felt tangible and real. Religious art became more than mere decoration; it transformed into a medium through which divine figures could step forth, approachable and familiar.
In this artwork, the mighty Saint Romanus of Antioch takes center stage, a figure both formidable and compassionate. His presence looms large, a beacon of courage for those who look upon him. Beside him stands the young Saint Barulas, a mere child of seven, who has been sparked to embrace martyrdom through the elder saint’s poignant words. Their relationship, captured in a moment of silent dialogue, reflects a profound bond formed in the face of adversity.
Romanus is not just an image; he embodies the trials faced by early Christians. The viewer can almost feel the weight of his pain as he holds aloft a testament to his suffering—a tongue, forcefully torn from his body, a gruesome reminder of the cost of conviction. In his other hand, he clutches a gigantic book, its pages inscribed with a prayer, a lifeline for the faithful seeking intercession in their daily struggles.
Each brushstroke by Zurbarán invites the audience into this sacred narrative, where the past and present intertwine. It beckons the viewer to reflect on the virtues of faith and resilience, encouraging them to find their own path amidst the shadows of doubt. This canvas doesn’t just tell a story; it offers a communion of spirit, a moment of contemplation, and a gentle reminder of the power of belief as it echoes through the ages.
About the artist
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