Saint James the Elder

Artist Pieter Claesz. Soutman (1580-1657, active in Flanders)

Date17th Century

MediumBrush and brown wash with white gouache, squared for transfer in graphite on off-white wove paper

DimensionsImage: 15 3/4 x 13 5/8 in. (40 x 34.6 cm)
Framed: 24 1/2 x 21 5/8 in. (62.2 x 54.9 cm)

ClassificationsDrawings

Credit LineBequest of John Ringling, 1936

Object numberSN225

Identified by his icon, the scallop shell, this depiction of Saint James is quite unlike the strong, heroic martyrs typical of the Flemish Baroque. Instead, he is the aged, humble servant of God who brought the Gospel to Spain-his staff and hat are typical pilgrimage iconography. The engaging naturalism evident in this serene, slightly sentimental work indicates that it was drawn from life. The strong contrasts of lights and darks, carefully outlined contours, and grid pattern executed in graphite over the drawing indicate that it also served as a preparatory study for an engraving.

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