Spanish school of the XVI century. Lot n° 26

Spanish school of the XVI century. "St. Gregory the Great. Oil on panel. Measurements: 65 x 37,5 cm; 86,5 x 58,5 cm (frame). We are in front of the effigy of Pope St. Gregory the Great, represented with the tiara and the papal cross, as Father of the Church (one of the four great of the West) who tradition knows as The Great. Next to the Pope is represented a dove, symbol of inspiration and one of his main attributes with the pontifical emblems. Pope St. Gregory the Great is part of the group of the first eight Doctors of the Church, specifically one of the four of the Latin rite, together with Ambrose of Milan (307-397), Jerome of Stridon (346-420) and Augustine of Hippo (354-430). The other four, of the Greek rite, are Athanasius of Alexandria, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory Nazianzen and John Chrysostom. Doctor of the Church is a title given by the Pope or an Ecumenical Council to certain saints by reason of their erudition and in recognition as eminent teachers of the faith to the faithful.