Unknown artist - Saint Isidore the Laborer

Rare reverse glass painting with a depiction of Saint Isidore the Laborerer.
Probably Spanish, 19th century. In an original frame.
Saint Isidore is patron of the farmers, of Madrid and of the internet.

Dimensions: 47 x 33 x 1,5 cm.

In good condition with some small signs of wear.

Registered shipping.

BIOGRAPHY:

Isidore the Laborer, born Isidro de Merlo y Quintana, also known as Isidore the Farmer (Spanish: San Isidro Labrador) (c. 1070 – 15 May 1130), was a Mozarab farmworker who lived in medieval Madrid. Known for his piety toward the poor and animals, he is venerated as a Catholic patron saint of farmers, and of Madrid; El Gobernador, Jalisco; Condiro Jalisco, La Ceiba, Honduras; and of Tocoa, Honduras. His feast day is celebrated on 15 May.

The Spanish profession name labrador comes from the verb labrar ("to till", "to plow" or, in a broader sense, "to work the land"). Hence, to refer to him as simply a "laborer" is a poor translation of the Spanish labrador as it makes no reference to the essential farming aspect of his work and his identity.

Biography
Isidore was born in Madrid around 1070 or 1082 to poor, devout parents and was christened Isidore after the name of their patron, St. Isidore of Seville. In 1083 or 1085, the troops of Alfonso VI of León and Castile conquered Madrid from the Muslim taifa of Toledo. Isidore spent his life as a hired hand in the service of the wealthy Madrilenian landowner, Juan de Vargas, on a farm in the city's vicinity.He shared what he had, even his meals, with the poor.Juan de Vargas would later make him bailiff of his entire estate of Lower Caramanca.

Isidore married Maria Torribia, known as Santa María de la Cabeza in Spain; she has never been canonized. Isidore and Maria had one son. On one occasion, their son fell into a deep well, and at the prayers of his parents, the water of the well is said to have risen miraculously to the level of the ground, bringing the child with it. In thanksgiving, Isidore and Maria then vowed sexual abstinence and lived in separate houses. Their son later died in his youth.

Isidore died on 15 May 1130, at his birthplace close to Madrid, although the only official source places his death in the year 1172.

Miracle story:

St Isidore
In the morning before going to work, Isidore would usually attend Mass at one of the churches in Madrid. One day, his fellow farm workers complained to their master that Isidore was always late for work in the morning. Upon investigation the master found Isidore at prayer while an angel was doing the ploughing for him.