Spanish school; second half of the XVII century.... Lot n° 36

Spanish school; second half of the XVII century. "Saint Dominic of Guzman". Oil on canvas. Preserves the original canvas. Frame of the second half of the nineteenth century, with damage. 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 colors, of the buildings and the vegetation, is the figure of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. Located in the center of the scene, the small figure is somewhat relegated by an idealized and harmonious landscape. However, it is his preponderant location in the scene and the black and white of his tunic, the elements 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 of Guzman, 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 formation, finally awakening his vocation to the ecclesiastical state. After studying humanities, theology and philosophy in Palencia, where he was also a professor, he was ordained a priest, and was finally named ambassador extraordinary by King Alfonso VIII of Castile. After obtaining in 1216 the authorization to found his order, he devoted his last years to its organization 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, especially the resurrection of a young man who died from a fall from a horse and the rescue of some pilgrims who were going to drown while trying to cross the Garonne 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 left 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.