Saint Paul Writing

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Saint Paul is depicted with reed pen poised, gazing at the crucified Christ for inspiration. The Greek text he is writing is from his first Epistle to the Corinthians (13: 4): 'Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up'. His attribute, the sword by which he was martyred, rests against the table.Every crease and wrinkle on Saint Paul's forehead and around his eyes and each bone and tendon in his neck has been carefully recorded, revealing not only Sacchi’s acute powers of observation but also his understanding of anatomy. His interest in antiquity is reflected in the relief on the lectern and in the faces in profile on the base of the Crucifix. His detailed, sharply delineated, naturalistic -- almost hyperreal -- style reveals a regard for Northern European painting, while the sources for his figures and other influences are derived from Lombardy, Liguria and Flanders.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Saint Paul Writing

Date

1520s

Medium

Oil on poplar

Measurements

H 106 x W 81.9 cm

Accession number

NG3944

Acquisition method

Mond Bequest, 1924

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

View venue