Figure of St. James the Great Seated in a Landscape 1616 - 1668

This is Antonio del Castillo y Saavedra’s pen and brown ink drawing, “Figure of St. James the Great Seated in a Landscape.” Castillo was active in Spain during the 17th century. A period characterized by religious intensity, as well as the artistic exploration of faith. Castillo’s St. James isn’t the idealized figure of traditional religious art, but rather a man weathered by life, resting in a natural setting. The choice to depict St. James as an ordinary man, rather than an exalted figure, suggests a more humanistic interpretation of religious figures, aligning with the period’s changing attitudes towards faith and individual experience. The drawing captures a sense of quiet introspection, inviting us to contemplate the saint's journey and his connection to the world around him. While the artwork adheres to religious themes prevalent at the time, it subtly develops a narrative that emphasizes the human side of spiritual icons.