San Serapio (1628)

Zurbarán, Francisco de (1598-1664)

San Serapio (Saint Serapion)
1628
Oil on canvas, 120.2 x 104 cm
Wadsworth AtheneumHartford

Curatorial Narrative: Saint Serapion was a monk who gave his life to liberate Christians captured during the thirteenth century in North Africa. The position of his arms alludes to his martyrdom on an x-shaped cross. Rather than including other details of his gruesome death, Zurbarán chose to paint Serapion in the last moments of his life, still dressed in his immaculately white habit. Zurbarán proudly signed and dated this early work. Commissioned by the Mercederians, a monastic order in Seville, it originally hung in the room where monks’ bodies were laid before burial. This intense masterpiece of humble yet noble sacrifice and redemption would have provided spiritual inspiration for those laying their brethren to rest.

Collection Catalog Narrative: Saint Serapion was a Scottish monk who gave his life in exchange for the liberation of Christians who were held captive in Algiers in 1241. Francisco de Zurbarán did not represent the saint’s gruesome death, but chose to show him tied in a position that foreshadows his martyrdom and reminds us of his crucifixion. Zurbarán proudly signed and dated this work in the creased note at the center to the right. Commissioned by the Shod Mercedarians, a prominent monastic order in Seville, the painting originally hung in the room where monks’ bodies were prepared for burial. Zurbarán’s intense masterpiece of humble yet noble sacrifice would have provided spiritual inspiration for those laying their brethren to rest. His striking blend of drama and austerity resonated with the religious fervor of his time and became one of the artist’s trademarks. This work was completed early in Zurbarán’s career and may have been a trial piece for a large series that the Mercedarians commissioned from him shortly thereafter. (WA)