The online collection and picture sale
Decapitation of Saint Bartholomew
Anonymous, Aragonese
Second half of the 15th century
Tempera on panel
82 x 65 cm
c. 1450-1480
15th century. Second half
69/55
Acquired in 1959
We know that Saint Bartholomew did not die from being skinned but that he emerged from this torture alive and was considered a martyr until his death. Depending on which biographer you read, we are told that he died crucified or decapitated, although he may well have suffered from both torments, one after the other. In this depiction, the saint appears with a gesture of complete submission in his facial expression at the moment when the executioner's sword is about to hit the martyr's head. Astiages and three other men in his retinue also appear.
In this scene, we see a certain taste for rich clothing and the inclusion of innovative features within the evolution of the fashion of the day, such as some of the hats covering the figures' heads. The composition is more lively and agile, especially the executioner, who is depicted at the height of action, when he is about the deal the blow that will end the martyred saint's life. His dynamism contrasts with the staticness of the other figures, who are watching the action impassively, like mute witnesses. (Ana Galilea)
Selected bibliography
- Post, Chandler Rathfon. A History of Spanish Painting. Harvard, Harvard University Press, 1930-1966. Vol. VII, Part. I, pp. 142-145.
- Lasterra, Crisanto de. Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao : catálogo descriptivo : sección de arte antiguo. Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 1969. p. 25, n° cat. 55. (Con el título Decapitación de San Bartolomé, y atribuido a Arnaut Castelnou de Navalles)
- Galilea Antón, Ana María. Catalogación y estudio de los fondos de Pintura Española del Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao del siglo XIII al XVIII (de 1270 a 1700) [tesis inédita]. 1993. pp. 281-283. (Con el título Decapitación de San Bartolomé, y atribuido a Anónimo aragonés de la segunda mitad del siglo XV)
- Galilea Antón, Ana María. Catalogación y estudio de los fondos de Pintura Española del Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao del siglo XIII al XVIII (de 1270 a 1700) [tesis inédita]. 1993. p. 147, fig. 93. (Con el título 'Decapitación de San Bartolomé', y como Anónimo Aragonés de la segunda mitad del siglo XV)
- Galilea Antón, Ana María. "La colección de Pintura Española anterior a 1700 en el Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao", Urtekaria 1994 : asterlanak, albistak = Anuario 1994 : estudios, crónicas. 1995. pp. 21, 24, 42. (Con el título Decapitación de San Bartolomé, y atribuido a ANÓNIMO ARAGONÉS DE LA SEGUNDA MITAD DEL SIGLO XV)..
- Galilea Antón, Ana María. La pintura gótica española en el Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao : catálogo. Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 1995. pp. 190-191. (Con el título ”Decapitación de San Bartolomé”, y como Anónimo aragonés de la segunda mitad del siglo XV)