Spanish school (XVIII) - San Judas Tadeo

Spanish School of the 18th Century – Saint Jude Thaddeus “THADDEVS”.

Oil on canvas from the 18th century, by an anonymous author and Spanish school, depicting Saint Jude Thaddeus, identified by the Latin inscription “THADDEVS” preserved at the top.

The Apostle appears in profile to the right, with lifted gaze, long hair and beard, and a broad red cloak over green garments. The dark background, the format, and the identification by inscription indicate that it probably belonged to an apostolate or a series of representations of the apostles.

The work responds to a painting from a provincial workshop or school, possibly executed from an earlier pictorial or graphic model. The canvas seems older than the current stretcher and simple wooden frame, so it was probably mounted in an ancient restoration.

Conservation status:
The painting is in its original state, without cleaning or recent restoration. It preserves the signs typical of a work of approximately three centuries:
- Significantly darkened old varnish.
- General craquelure.
- Wear, abrasions and small losses of the paint layer.

Old repair by means of a circular fabric patch visible on the back.
Stretcher and frame later than the execution of the painting.

No visible signature.

The complete condition of the surface, the back, the old repair, and the mounting system are documented in the photographs.

Artist: anonymous.
School: Spanish.
Period: 18th century.
Technique: oil on canvas.
Subject: Saint Jude Thaddeus, probably belonging to an apostolate.
Inscription: “THADDEVS”.
Dimensions with frame: 43.5 × 36 cm.
Frame: simple wooden frame included.

It will be carefully shipped protected, with appropriate packaging for an old painting.