Saint Gregory the Great

Author: Unknown

Date: 1540 – 1550

Material: Oil on chestnut

Dimensions (cm): H 108,5 x W 49

Provenance: Guimarães, Igreja de São Cipriano de Tabuadelo

Inventory No.: MAS P 15

 

Saint Gregory the Great is wearing a cope decorated with stylized floral motifs. On the head, he wears the pontifical tiara and the hands are covered with pontifical gloves. On the left arm, there’s a silver staff, topped by a golden papal cross. He holds an open book with both hands.

According to Dalila Rodrigues, the evident technical and stylistic similarities between this work, which was repainted, and the ones depicting Saint Apollonia (MAS P 45) and Saint Catherine of Alexandria (MAS P 43)  as well as the one representing the Pentecost (MAS PD 2) (though of a more elaborated execution) lead to the attribution of a probable common authorship.