Apr 27, 2009
Apr 27, 2009
Apr 27, 2009

The Miracles of Saint James the Greater

The Miracles of Saint James the Greater

1726

Noël Nicolas Coypel

(French, 1690–1734)

Oil on canvas

Framed: 129.5 x 107.5 x 10.5 cm (51 x 42 5/16 x 4 1/8 in.); Unframed: 102 x 80.7 cm (40 3/16 x 31 3/4 in.)

Gift of Felix Wildenstein 1929.96

Description

Noël Nicolas Coypel combined two stories associated with Saint James the Greater, one of the twelve apostles of Christ. In the foreground is the magician Hermogenes, begging forgiveness. Hermogenes had cast a spell on James, but the saint turned the curse back on him. When James offered to protect Hermogenes against the demons assaulting him, the magician cast aside his pagan texts in favor of Christianity. According to the second legend, James miraculously cured a paralytic man (in the middle ground at right), thereby averting his own execution and causing the prosecutor to convert. Although this painting is relatively small, the clear composition, grand architectural setting, and dignified and expressive poses of the figures endow it with monumental presence.

Video

Miraculous Conversions
Crowd Reaction
The Artist, Noel Nicolas Coypel
See also
Type of artwork: 
Painting
Medium: 
Oil on canvas

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