The Martyrdom Of Saint Pedro Arbués, By The Circle Of Mateo Gilarte, Circa 1660

: A major oil-on-canvas painting depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Pedro Arbués, painted by an artist from the circle of Mateo Gilarte around 1660. This large-scale composition illustrates one of the most dramatic episodes in Spain’s religious history: the assassination of Pedro Arbués, canon of Zaragoza and Inquisitor of Aragon, who was killed in 1485 while praying before the high altar of La Seo Cathedral in Zaragoza.

The saint occupies the center of the composition, kneeling in prayer before the altar and wearing a white rochet over his clerical garb. Around him unfolds the moment immediately preceding the attack, creating a poignant narrative, imbued with tension and spiritual significance. The altar is carefully depicted, adorned with a crucifix, a Bible, and liturgical objects. Personal belongings, including a book and a clerical headdress, lie abandoned on the floor, underscoring the sudden violence of the scene.

The composition is inspired by Pedro de Villafranca’s famous engraving for Diego García de Trasmiera’s *Építome*, which was widely circulated in print during the 17th century. The painter skillfully transposes the engraved model into a monumental pictorial format, enriching the narrative through color, scale, and dramatic expression.

The work was created during a period of intense devotion to Pedro Arbués, following his beatification by Pope Alexander VII in 1662, an event that greatly contributed to the spread of his image throughout Spain. His subsequent canonization by Pope Pius IX in 1867 cemented his status as a major saint in the history of Aragon.

Painted within the artistic circle of Mateo Gilarte, one of the greatest Spanish Baroque painters active in Murcia during the second half of the 17th century, this canvas reflects the dramatic narrative, religious fervor, and dynamic compositions characteristic of Spanish Baroque art.

A remarkable historical and religious painting, worthy of a museum, it depicts an important chapter in Spain’s religious and cultural history.

Artist:

Circle of Mateo Gilarte (Spanish, 1629–1675)

Subject:
Martyrdom of Saint Peter Arbués

Date:

Circa 1660

Technique:
Oil on canvas

Dimensions:
Height: 195 cm
Width: 153 cm

Condition:
Good condition, consistent with its age. Normal wear and restoration typical of a 17th-century work. Beautiful presentation and strong visual impact.

Keywords:
Florin Antiques