Saint Cosmas 

Álvaro Pires de Évora created this representation of Saint Cosmas as a tempera and gold leaf on a wood panel. The egg tempera painting technique is particularly labor-intensive, demanding great skill and time, and resulting in a smooth, matte surface. The gold leaf, meticulously applied around Cosmas's halo, reflects light and symbolizes divinity. Its application involves adhering thin sheets of hammered gold to the prepared surface, demanding a steady hand. The combination of these materials and the artistic tradition in which Évora worked reflects the economics of devotion. The choice of materials and the laborious processes speak to the value placed on religious iconography, and the investment made by patrons and artists in creating objects of reverence and contemplation. Such works prompt a reflection on the socio-economic conditions of artistic production in the 15th century.