Saint Agustin

IGNACIO VERGARA GIMENO (1715-1776)

Spain, 18th century.

Pencil on laid paper with indeterminate watermark.

Saint Augustine is depicted as a bishop and doctor of the church, standing on a pedestal. He is represented with the pontifical vestments. Dressed in the alb, covered with the pluvial cape, and wearing the mitre. In his right hand he holds the pen, while in his left he holds the flaming heart, which in turn rests on the book, which is held open to his left by a child angel. At his feet, seated on a cloud, another child angel holds a model of a church. The book, which he steps on, from which snakes emerge, symbolises the doctrines and heretics that he fought. At the top, the Holy Trinity, represented by the equilateral triangle, which illuminates the saint. Ignacio Vergara collaborated with his father Francisco Vergara el Mayor in the creation of the altarpiece of the church of the former convent of San Agustín in Valencia.

Light stains and some paper grafting in the corners.